Dimitris Giannakopoulos banned from Greek arenas for 10 months

Dimitris Giannakopoulos, owner of Panathinaikos AKTOR, has been handed a ten-month ban from all Greek sports arenas and a 60,000 euro fine by the ESAKE sports judge. The decision follows an Instagram post by Giannakopoulos that allegedly defamed Olympiacos and its coach, while implying involvement in an ongoing investigation regarding basketball match manipulation in Greece.

Panathinaikos was also fined 30,000 euros due to the actions of its owner. Olympiacos reported that this new penalty brings Giannakopoulos's total cumulative ban to 29 months since June. The club has expressed that it considers the sanction extreme and intends to appeal the decision.

Additionally, the EuroLeague has launched an independent disciplinary proceeding against Giannakopoulos following a complaint from Olympiacos. This separate case concerns the social media sharing of fan chants and banners from a recent EuroLeague match against Baskonia. Meanwhile, Margarita Thanos, a Panathinaikos board member, was acquitted of charges related to her public statements.