Greek basketball federation president Vangelis Liolios resigns while facing bribery and match-fixing charges he denies

Vangelis Liolios is out as president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK). He announced his resignation Sunday, Oct. 25, as he appeared before an investigating magistrate in Athens on bribery and match-fixing allegations.

"I am stepping aside so that basketball can function," Liolios said. He added that he is ceasing all activity in the sport until the judicial process is complete, so the investigation can proceed without interruption.

He arrived at the Evelpidon courthouse shortly after 10:00 a.m. with Giorgos Mavraganis, a businessman and former player who holds no official federation role. Liolios's testimony lasted about three and a half hours. He denied the allegations.

What prosecutors allege

Liolios was one of six people arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The Athens Public Prosecutors Office says the case covers alleged bribery and unlawful interference meant to manipulate basketball games, some of them tied to betting markets in Greece and abroad.

Authorities are examining 49 games between June 2016 and March 2026. They range from the top division to lower national leagues, youth competitions and school championships.

The file reaches into the federation's leadership, its Central Refereeing Committee and prominent current and former referees. The offences carry maximum prison sentences of ten years.

Investigating judge Konstantinos Metos issued the arrest warrants with the agreement of prosecutor Apostolos Grammenos. Prosecutors skipped the usual step of summoning the suspects first. They cited Article 244, paragraph 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, saying the evidence showed the suspects were still active in basketball and could commit further offences.

How the case started

The investigation grew out of a formal complaint filed on April 16, 2026, and supplemented on May 13, by Maroussi BC through its chief executive, Theofanis Tarnatoros. It went to the EOK Ethics Committee, the Professional Sports Committee and the National Platform for Sports Integrity.

The complaint came with a notarized sworn statement from coach Ilias Papatheodorou, who managed Promitheas Patras from 2023 to 2025, along with screenshots of messages.

The cash and the referee

Former referee Petros Papapetrou was remanded in custody after his deposition on Friday. Police reportedly found €820,000 in cash at his home. Greek media have reported that police have seized more than €920,000 in total as the probe widened.

Papapetrou reportedly told the magistrate the money came from 25 years of earnings. He cited refereeing, his job at the forestry service, family income and property sales. He reportedly put the family's combined income from 2001 to 2026 at €1.5 million and said he withdrew and saved money gradually because his living expenses were low.

His lawyer, Orestis Georgiadis, disputes the allegations and has said the defence will appeal the detention order.

The defence

Liolios's defence team says no solid evidence links him to match-fixing and calls the case a conspiracy. His lawyer, Panagiotis Papaioannou, has criticised how messages from the case file reached the public. He argues that publishing selected excerpts cannot support reliable conclusions.

No one has been convicted. Liolios and Mavraganis are accused, not found guilty.

Before the resignation, the federation's board held an emergency meeting. EOK then said it remained "in a state of absolute and constant alert" and would take appropriate institutional action as the situation evolves. The government has also suspended state grants to the federation.

What comes next

Once the testimonies end, the magistrate and prosecutor will decide how to handle Liolios and Mavraganis, including whether to order pretrial detention. Mavraganis was among those who appeared before the magistrate on Oct. 22 and received extra time to prepare his defense.

Several other referees named by witnesses are expected to be summoned in the coming weeks. Some could face criminal charges. Five more people are expected to appear at the Evelpidon courthouse to give explanations.

Greece's Anti-Money Laundering Authority is auditing the defendants' assets and wealth declarations. It is expanding its inquiry to other figures in professional sports, with a focus on soccer.

Procedures to replace Liolios and elect a new president are expected to begin Monday morning, Oct. 26. Panagiotis Giannakis, the 67-year-old former player and national team coach, is widely seen as the leading candidate. He is expected to testify in the case Monday. His attorney, Andreas Mitsainas, said Giannakis will "personally contribute to exposing what took place, including what was done against him."

Whether the magistrate orders Liolios held, and who takes over a federation under a criminal investigation, should become clear this week.