Dimitris Giannakopoulos’s appeal to Valencia to allow him to attend Panathinaikos’s Game 5 in person tomorrow at the “Roj Arena” fell on deaf ears. According to Marca, citing sources close to the Spanish team’s management, the powerful figurehead of the Greek club will not be allowed near the arena for the match that will decide qualification for the Final 4.

“Sources from Valencia have confirmed that they will not allow the billionaire owner of the Greek team access, as he must still serve the third game of his ban from Euroleague arenas, a penalty imposed as part of the sanction for unsportsmanlike conduct, a punishment further aggravated by the fact that he is a repeat offender,” the report states.

In fact, Marca adds that extra security measures are being taken. “Staff at the entrances, especially those at the VIP entrance at the access doors to the VIP box or the VIP area, will increase surveillance to prevent Dimitris Giannakopoulos from entering the stadium in case he attempts to gain access to the venue despite his suspension,” the Spanish report emphasizes.

The report concludes by noting that if he is present at the stadium despite the suspension, a fine of between 30,000 and 280,000 euros is stipulated, as defined in Article 23 of the disciplinary code, which sets the penalty for non-compliance with sanctions.

*photo source: CNA