Panagiotis Giannakis requested to testify in support of the charges in the case involving the Greek basketball match-fixing scandal. The “Dragon” saw his name mentioned as a… victim in a witness’s testimony and is expected to testify on Monday.
The reference to the Greek basketball legend concerned the game between Aris and Faros Larissa, in which he was assessed two technical fouls and ejected from the game. The witness states that the technical fouls were called in order to disadvantage the Aris team.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“On March 17, 2018, Faros Larissa played a crucial game against Aris. Giorgos Mavraghanis, with whom I spoke daily as we anxiously awaited Faros’s fate regarding its survival in the A1 league, told me that Mr. Piloidis and B. had been appointed as referees for the match. I met with Mr. Piloidis at a hotel café, and he told me he was in charge of Mr. B. and asked me for an advance payment of 5,000 euros. I had gone there prepared; I had the money; I gave it to him in an envelope, and because he was surprised by how quickly I handed it over, he smiled and said, “At the match the day after tomorrow, I’ll give you a gift—you’ll see.” He sent off the Aris coach, with whom he had a bad relationship. “When he ejected him, he turned toward where I was sitting and winked at me,” the witness said, referring to the game that the Larissa team had won 81–76, putting Aris in a tight spot at the time.
Yiannakis’s attorney, Andreas Mitsainas, stated: “I went to the investigating judge today only to be informed, unfortunately, that the proceedings are still ongoing. I will go back after noon. He himself wishes to come in on Monday to testify and, if necessary, to make a statement in support of the charges. That is all I can say at this point. Beyond that, the investigation will determine the course of action. He will take a position on Monday, once we have gathered more information regarding the vindictive boos or any other matters related to him. I can’t say anything more; the matter is still ongoing. I’ll stay informed, and I’ll keep Mr. Giannakis updated. As you know, Mr. Giannakis is a legend of Greek basketball; he’s a pillar of the sport. And he himself will help shed light on what has been said against him.”
*photo source: KYPE
