Piraeus (Greece) (AFP) – Greek champions Olympiakos on Thursday said that an investigation into the club by European football’s governing body UEFA has found no wrongdoing.
Olympiakos responded with a statement after a report by Britain’s Press Association revealed that the club’s owner, shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis, was being investigated in relation to match-fixing allegations.
“Olympiakos has informed UEFA about the case and is continuing informing them step by step. It is known to everyone that UEFA has examined the information received and concluded that there is no evidence that implicates Olympiakos,” the statement by the club said.
An Athens prosecutor suggested Tuesday that Marinakis be held in custody before he stands trial for his alleged involvement in the establishment of a criminal gang which fixed football matches.
Prosecutor Stamatis Daskalopoulos said that Marinakis, 49, violated an existing order that banned him from getting involved in football activities until his trial and thus should be taken into custody.
The Press Association quoted a UEFA spokesman as saying that an official request has been sent in order to get a copy of the report issued by Daskalopoulos.
A court decision on Daskalopoulos’ proposals is expected within a few days.
Marinakis lashed out at Daskalopoulos saying that his action “is directed against Olympiakos and my activity in the team’s progress.”
“The prosecutor’s proposal will be judged by the Athens Appeals Court in the coming months. I expect a fair judgement by an impartial, independent and free judiciary,” Marinakis said in a statement on the Olympiakos website.
Marinakis said that he would take legal action against Daskalopoulos as well as make a disciplinary report to the proper authorities.
The Olympiakos owner has recently tried to gain a majority share in English club Notthingham Forest and over the weekend secured one of four national television licenses with a bid of 73 million euros ($82.1 million, £61.2 million).
Last year, Marinakis was ordered to post 200,000 euros bail and banned from participating in football related activities until a trial is held.
He faces charges for his alleged involvement in the establishment of a criminal gang which fixed matches between 2011 and 2013.
Marinakis has spent six years at the helm of Olympiakos. The Piraeus club have won the league title six seasons in a row.
Besides Marinakis, 27 other people have been recommended by Daskalopoulos to face trial, including former Hellenic Football Federation president Giorgos Sarris, former owners of clubs, referees and players.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Liga MX & Copa Libertadores
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, NWSL, & USL
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $7.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & EFL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season