Bribery investigation in Greek basketball: 6 people detained

Greek basketball is being shaken by a judicial investigation involving federation president Vangelis Liolios, referees and officials. According to reports in the Greek press, prosecutors are examining about 50 matches played between 2016 and 2026. The allegations extend to youth and school leagues.

The investigation is said to have begun with a tip-off in April 2026 and to have widened with later testimony. Nine people gave statements to the sports prosecutor. Two of them are reported to be considered important because they directly described the method, the people and the money involved in the alleged fixed results. Written messages are also part of the file.

Those detained include, besides Liolios, international referee Vaso Tsaroucha, former referee Petros Papapetrou, Tasos Piloidis, Ilias Koromilas and businessman Giorgos Mavraganis. The suspects face charges of active and passive bribery under sports legislation. At least one of the matches under review is said to have been played outside Greece.

During the searches, 820,000 euros were found at Papapetrou's home. According to investigators, this amount does not match the referee's financial situation. Phones, computers and other devices were also seized.

Euroleague has removed Tsaroucha from all assignments until the end of both the Greek authorities' investigation and its own internal investigation. The situation of the suspects will become clear before the courts. At the end of the first stage, different measures could come up, ranging from pretrial detention to restrictions on involvement in basketball activity. The decision belongs to the court.