Panathinaikos owner Giannakopoulos demands police apology over EuroLeague Final Four security failures

Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the owner of Greek basketball club Panathinaikos, publicly criticised the police and event organisers after security lapses at the EuroLeague Final Four held at the Telekom Center in Athens. In a series of Instagram stories he said ticket checks and identity verification were not carried out despite recent investments in cameras and ID‑verification systems, resulting in overcrowding and disrupted entry for fans who had purchased tickets. Giannakopoulos called for a “huge apology” from the police to Panathinaikos supporters and warned that similar treatment would not be tolerated if it occurred at a Panathinaikos match. He also accused the EuroLeague of differential enforcement, suggesting that Panathinaikos would face heavier penalties under the same circumstances.