Match-fixing investigation in Greek basketball: detention requested for Liolios

Athens Prosecutor Apostolis Grammenos reached findings of match-fixing and illegal betting in top-flight games during a three-month investigation. Grammenos stated that there is a risk of flight and requested that Liolios be detained.

Detention orders were also issued for 5 more people, including referees, along with Liolios, who has served as president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation since September 2021. The suspects face charges of match-fixing, illegal betting and bribery.

Panathinaikos issued a strong statement. The club said, "We will take legal action to win back what was taken from us by a dirty system." The statement stressed that referees were appointed by certain people. It said that the referees, who are reported to keep hundreds of thousands of euros in cash at home, continued to work the games in which the club played.

Following these developments, the interview Ergin Ataman gave in June, when he was Panathinaikos head coach, began to be discussed again. At the time Ataman had said, "What is happening in Greek basketball is not fair. We accepted the defeat."

Olympiakos had beaten Panathinaikos 89 to 85 in the 5th and final game of the finals series to become champions. After the game, Olympiakos player Tyrique Jones punched Panathinaikos player Kendrick Nunn at the entrance to the locker room.