Parthenopoulos: Greek basketball must be protected and trust restored

Panathinaikos Basketball Club president Vasilis Parthenopoulos, speaking to Mozzart Sport in Serbia, assessed the scandal that has shaken Greek basketball. Parthenopoulos said that the detention of six people, including members of the Hellenic Basketball Federation and the Referees Committee and federation president Vangelis Liolios, confirms concerns his club had raised for years.

The club president pointed to the objections, statements and sanctions of recent years, saying the current developments prove those warnings were justified. However, he said the real issue is not who was proven right, but how Greek basketball will be protected and how its reputation can be regained.

Parthenopoulos said he has full confidence in the judicial process and announced that they will join the case as a party to support the charges. He said they expect the true facts to be brought to light and those responsible to be punished accordingly.

The president argued that complaints and concerns, if assessed promptly and effectively, could have prevented the present situation. He stressed that Greek basketball must move forward with substantive reforms, credibility, unity, and a commitment to the rule of law and the principles of sporting ethics.