Dramatic developments are unfolding in Greek basketball, as EOK president Vangelis Liolios was arrested on Wednesday afternoon (October 21). Following the issuance of arrest warrants for Liolios, an EOK member, an external associate and a referee, one of the most powerful figures in Greek basketball was taken into custody.
The three-month prosecutorial investigation was conducted by Athens prosecutor Apostolis Grammenos. The criminal charges, depending on the case, concern bribery and the acceptance of bribes under sports legislation. According to sources familiar with the case, the investigation relates to alleged match-fixing in Greece’s top division and other competitions, dating back at least five years.
Meanwhile, referee Vaso Tsaroucha was also arrested, alongside Liolios. An arrest warrant had been issued for the Greek official over her alleged involvement in the basketball match-fixing scandal, which has begun to unravel over the past few hours. Following three months of prosecutorial investigation, arrests are now being made, with Tsaroucha reportedly one of two referees facing serious charges.
Finally, it is worth noting that €820,000 was reportedly found at the home of Petros Papapetrou by Greece’s financial and organized crime authorities, known as the Greek FBI.
The case remains ongoing, and all eyes are now on what happens next following these seismic developments in a scandal that has placed Vangelis Liolios at the center of the storm.