Major match-fixing scandal rocks Greek basketball

A major match-fixing scandal has engulfed the Hellenic Basketball Federation, resulting in six arrest warrants, including one for the Federation president Vangelis Liolios. The investigation was triggered by two protected witnesses, identified as former Ionikos owner Vangelis Tsapas and an anonymous referee. Allegations suggest that between 2018 and 2026, referees were instructed to influence the outcomes of approximately 30 games in exchange for lucrative career opportunities rather than direct cash payments.

Former referee Petros Papapetrou, one of the six accused, was ordered to be held in custody after failing to explain the source of 820,000 euros in cash discovered at his residence. While Papapetrou claimed the money was derived from legitimate career earnings, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority has launched an extensive probe into the assets and financial declarations of all six suspects. Further, investigators are looking into incidents such as the 2018 match between Faros and Aris and pressure exerted on players like Georgios Bogris to terminate contracts.

Legal proceedings are ongoing, with further testimonies scheduled for the coming days, including hearings for President Liolios, Georgios Mavraganis, and several referees. Authorities anticipate a new cycle of arrests as they expand their investigation into broader irregularities across professional Greek sports.