The key facts
- Liolios and four others detained under six warrants; among those detained are referees and a senior referee official
- The investigation covers about 50 matches from 2016 to 2026, from youth games to the top league
- Around €820,000 in cash found on a referee in Katerini and €7,500 on Liolios
Arrests in the Match-Fixing Case
The president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, Vangelis Liolios, was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing, bribery and corruption involving basketball officials and referees, Greek media report. According to the outlet iEidiseis, Liolios and four other people were taken into custody after six arrest warrants were issued.
Course of the Investigation
The investigation is being conducted by Athens sports prosecutor Apostolos Grammenos together with the Organized Crime Directorate. It concerns suspicions of bribery and manipulation of basketball match results. Among those detained, according to media reports, are referees and a senior official of the refereeing corps. Businessman and former basketball player Giorgos Mavraganis, according to the outlet, remains at large.
Scale of the Case and Findings
The investigation covers approximately 50 matches played from 2016 to 2026 — from youth and school competitions to the top division of Greek basketball. According to iEidiseis, around €820,000 ($955,000) in cash was found on a referee in the city of Katerini, and around €7,500 at Liolios's home.
Federation's Response
The Hellenic Basketball Federation said on Wednesday that its board held an emergency meeting regarding the ongoing judicial proceedings concerning Greek basketball. The federation stated that it will continue to monitor the case through official announcements and procedures.
