Greek basketball chief arrested amid match-fixing and bribery investigation

Athens, Greece. Greek basketball federation president Vangelis Liolios was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in an investigation into suspected match manipulation, bribery and other game-related misconduct, Sport24 reported. Greek media said six warrants had been issued, while SDNA reported that searches uncovered €820,000 at a referee’s home.

Investigation spans at least five years of matches

According to Sport24, Wednesday’s developments followed an investigation lasting three months, conducted by Athens sports prosecutor Apostolos Grammenos into allegations involving Greek basketball.

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The reported offences include giving and receiving bribes under sports law, alongside suspected manipulation of games across Greece’s highest basketball division and other levels over a period covering at least five years. Reports linked the case to federation leaders, referees and other basketball figures.

Liolios has headed the Hellenic Basketball Federation since September 2021. In addition to his arrest, three more people were reportedly detained, although accounts differed over their identities as the inquiry progressed.

Officials named and cash reportedly seized

Sport24 said the six warrants concerned Liolios, three referees, a chief referee or refereeing adviser, and a businessman who was formerly an athlete.

Those reportedly sought included referees Vaso Tsaroucha and Petros Papapetrou, along with basketball official Giorgos Mavraganis. Papapetrou reportedly retired over the summer.

In a separate report, SDNA said referee Elias Koromilas had also been arrested. The outlet reported that searches connected with the investigation found €820,000 in a referee’s residence in Katerini, describing the money as unexplained.

The allegations remain unproven in court.