Greek basketball rocked by major match-fixing scandal and arrests

A widespread match-fixing scandal in Greek basketball has led to significant judicial intervention. Former referee Petros Papapetrou was ordered to be detained in custody following his testimony, during which authorities discovered 820,000 euros in cash at his residence. The investigation, known as 'Basketgate,' currently involves six primary defendants, including Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) President Vangelis Liolios and his associate Giorgos Mavraganis. Evaggelos Tsapas, a former owner of Ionikos, has identified himself as one of the two protected witnesses, claiming he provided truthful testimony regarding corruption within the sport.

The Anti-Money Laundering Authority, led by Charalambos Vourliotis, is conducting a comprehensive audit of the assets and financial declarations of all suspects. Furthermore, investigators are expanding their probe to other professional sports, including football, after algorithmic analysis flagged suspicious transactions across multiple leagues. Allegations involve bribery of referees, manipulation of match results for betting purposes, and the creation of an illicit network to influence game outcomes.

As the investigation continues, EOK President Vangelis Liolios and Giorgos Mavraganis are scheduled to testify before the prosecutor. Defense attorneys for Liolios have described the charges as a fabricated conspiracy, promising to present evidence that will disprove the allegations. Meanwhile, additional referees and officials are expected to be called for questioning in the coming days as the authorities aim to dismantle the network responsible for the widespread corruption.