Six arrests, information regarding the discovery of 820,000 euros in a home safe in Katerini, and one more arrest reportedly pending, paint the picture of the case involving allegations of match-fixing in Greek basketball.
Among those arrested are the president of the Greek Basketball Federation (EOK), Vangelis Liolios; referees Ilias Koromilas, Petros Papapetrou, Vasso Tsaroucha, and Anastasios Piloidis, as well as Giorgos Mavraghanis, a close associate of the federation president, who turned himself in to the Athens Police Headquarters on Wednesday evening.
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Those arrested are expected to appear before the investigating judge today, Thursday (10/22), and it is considered likely that they will request a postponement to prepare their defenses.
The arrest warrants were issued following an investigation by the sports prosecutor, which was launched in response to allegations of possible criminal activity. According to information that has come to light, the case file reportedly includes messages and other evidence being examined as part of the investigation into possible match-fixing across different divisions of the sport and over an extended period of time.
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The charges against those involved are the subject of a judicial investigation, and the case is now in the preliminary inquiry stage.
Of particular interest is the information regarding the discovery of 820,000 euros in a safe at a residence in Katerini, which is reportedly linked to one of the referees involved in the case. The amount is reportedly not accounted for based on the available evidence. The origin of the funds and their possible connection to the case under investigation are matters that require further examination by the competent authorities.
The arrests prompted an immediate response from the Hellenic Basketball Federation, which convened an emergency meeting of its Board of Directors on Wednesday (October 21). The purpose of the meeting was to brief members on the ongoing legal proceedings involving individuals from the Greek basketball community. In its statement, the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) stated: “The EOK Board of Directors held an emergency meeting today, October 21, 2026, to brief its members on the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the basketball community. The case will be monitored continuously through official announcements and procedures.”
The government’s position on the serious developments in Greek basketball was expressed by the Deputy Minister of Sports, Yiannis Vroutsis, emphasizing that the allegations must be investigated by the judiciary. At the same time, he referred to the role of the National Platform for Sports Integrity (EPATHL), noting that the evidence was forwarded to the competent prosecutor on April 21, 2026. “The case is already in the hands of the judiciary, in which we have absolute confidence. We must all respect the investigative process, which, as is well known, is confidential, and await its findings,” he emphasized.
Source: CNA
