Paolo Valeri warns of corruption and intimidation in Greek football refereeing

Italian former referee Paolo Valeri, appointed deputy president of the Greek Referees Committee (ΚΕΔ) and VAR manager in 2024, said his contract has been renewed through 2028. In an interview with Il Messaggero he described the environment for Greek referees as fraught with corruption, physical threats and media manipulation by the owners of the country’s big clubs.

Valeri cited specific incidents, such as the Atromitos president’s threat to withdraw the team unless the referee was changed, prompting the federation president Makis Gagkatzis to cancel the match. He also noted the introduction of a system that lets clubs request VAR audio recordings, which he claims has increased confidence in officiating. Valeri expressed personal affection for Greece, calling it his "love" and praising the passion for football and basketball that he encounters there.