Greek basketball federation president Vangelis Liolios arrested over match-fixing scandal

On October 21, 2026, Greek authorities issued six arrest warrants and detained the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK), Vangelis Liolios, following a three-month investigation led by sports prosecutor Apostolis Grammenos. The warrants also include three referees, one chief referee acting as a special advisory consultant, and a businessman who is a former athlete. The suspects face charges including bribery and match-fixing, with evidence reportedly spanning a decade of games from 2016 to 2026 across all levels, including youth and professional leagues. Authorities have seized large, unexplained sums of money, including approximately 820,000 euros found in a referee's safe.

The investigation was sparked by specific complaints and witness testimonies, including a formal complaint filed by Marousi BC in April 2026 and public claims by Panathinaikos president Dimitris Giannakopoulos. The case file contains extensive documentation, including written messages between officials and referees, and testimony from eight key witnesses. The accused are expected to appear before an examining magistrate to provide explanations for their actions. This judicial intervention is considered a major development in Greek sports, potentially affecting the integrity of the national basketball framework.