Match-fixing scandal in Greek basketball: Six arrests and €820,000 in cash found in the safe of one referee. Implicated in the scandal that shakes the Greek Basketball is also the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK), Vangelis Liolios, ANT1 TV who has been also arrested and other media reported on Tuesday afternoon. Law enforcement […]
A massive scandal is rocking Greek sport after the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, Vangelis Liolios, and other basketball figures were arrested or named in arrest warrants over allegations of match-fixing, bribery and illegal conduct linked to games, while €820,000 in cash was reportedly found at a referee’s home.
The developments emerged on Wednesday, following a three-month investigation by Athens sports prosecutor Apostolos Grammenos into allegations concerning Greek basketball, according to Greek sports media outlet Sport24.
Six arrest warrants were issued in total, with the case reportedly involving the federation’s leadership, referees and other basketball figures.
Liolios, who has led the federation since September 2021, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, Sport24 reported.
Three other people were also reported arrested, although reports differed on the identities of those detained as the investigation developed.
The warrants reportedly concern alleged offences including bribery and accepting bribes under sports legislation, as well as suspected manipulation of matches in Greece’s top basketball division and other categories over at least the past five years.
According to Sport24, the warrants cover three referees, a chief referee or refereeing adviser, and a businessman who is also a former athlete, alongside Liolios.
Referees Vaso Tsaroucha and Petros Papapetrou were among those reported to be wanted, as was basketball official Giorgos Mavraganis. Papapetrou reportedly retired during the summer.
Greek outlet SDNA separately reported that referee Elias Koromilas had also been arrested, and that €820,000 was found at the home of a referee in Katerini during searches connected to the case.
The amount was described by the outlet as unexplained, but the allegations have not been established in court.
The reports said searches of properties linked to people under investigation uncovered substantial sums of cash that authorities suspect may not be consistent with the individuals’ declared financial circumstances.
The case reportedly includes complaints and allegations made by people in basketball, as well as messages and other evidence examined during the prosecutor’s investigation.
According to Greek media, the warrants were issued after the case file was referred to an investigating magistrate, with the agreement of the sports prosecutor.
The reported grounds for issuing the warrants included concerns that some suspects, who remain active in the sport, could potentially commit further offences.
Those arrested were expected to appear before the investigating magistrate as the legal process continued.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the individuals mentioned are currently accusations rather than proven findings.
LeBron James overcame a hostile New York Knicks crowd to get off to a winning start in his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, beating the NBA champions 106-100 to kick off a record-extending 24th season.
The 41-year-old hopes to deliver a title for the long-suffering Sixers, and his season debut for Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden drove interest in the most hotly anticipated contest of the NBA’s opening day.
New York’s devoted fans dug deep to see their team receive their championship rings four months after ending a 53-year title drought in June.
The cheapest ticket available on TickPick was priced at over $2,000. The total cost to attend every other NBA team’s home opener, based on the cheapest ticket prices, is $1,545, the resale platform said.
“We played exceptionally well, especially defensively. Didn’t shoot the ball well, but we have we have capable shooters,” said James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“Good way for us to start the season.”
Home fans booed whenever announcers mentioned James’ name ahead of tipoff, and the four-time MVP verbally sparred with a fan late in the first half but otherwise had no issues tuning out the noise as he recorded 14 points, 7 assists and 9 rebounds.
“I’m still getting my rhythm, obviously, you know, just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad, but I like the way we played,” said James, who came to Philadelphia from the Lakers, where he picked up a fourth title in 2020.
Philadelphia fans celebrated his arrival even before he stepped onto the court, hoping he will help end the team’s 43-year title dry spell.
James took the largest pay cut in NBA history when he joined the fourth NBA team of his career. He adds significant firepower to a team that includes 2023 MVP Joel Embiid and newly acquired 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey led the scoring with 28 points on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks swept the 76ers in the conference semi-finals earlier this year.
“Last time we were here we should’ve won,” said Sixers coach Nick Nurse. “These first few weeks have been fun.”
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