Major corruption scandal rocks Greek basketball with six arrests

Greek authorities have launched a major judicial investigation into a widespread match-fixing scandal involving the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK). On October 22, 2026, six individuals were arrested, including EOK President Vangelis Liolios, active referee Vasiliki Tsaroucha, and former referees Tasos Piloidis and Ilias Koromilas. The investigation, which spanned three months, focuses on approximately 50 games from 2018 to 2026, including professional league matches and a controversial school championship game in Paphos, Cyprus, where a team received 52 free throws in a suspicious second-half turnaround.

Evidence in the case file includes incriminating text messages, witness testimonies detailing bribes, and the discovery of 820,000 euros in cash at the home of a former referee. Witnesses allege systematic efforts to manipulate results, with one report claiming a referee was offered 10,000 euros to influence a 2021 EuroCup final. The accused deny the allegations, with Liolios describing the case as a setup. In response, Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis has suspended all funding to the EOK and ordered an urgent financial audit.

Legal proceedings began on October 23, 2026. The former referee found with the large cash sum was scheduled to testify first. Liolios and his associate are set to appear before the investigator on Sunday, October 25, followed by the remaining defendants on Monday.