UEFA INVESTIGATE MATCH-FIXING ALLEGATION IN GREECE

UEFA is reportedly investigating the match-fixing scandal in Greece.

The owner of Olympiakos Evangelos Marinakis is trying to purchase Nottingham Forest but the allegations of match-fixing are hindering the deal. Marinakis has denied the charges in a statement published on Olympiakos website. The club owner claimed the case was politically motivated, and that the Greek public persecutor Stamatis Daskalopoulos is bias in the case against him.

“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,” the statement reads. However, Press Association Sport reports that UEFA is investigating Marinakis, and that the continental football association reached out to the prosecutor some months back.

A UEFA Spokesman said: “Uefa can confirm that an investigation is ongoing over Olympiakos FC. Additionally, Uefa can confirm that an official request has been sent in order to get a copy of the report issued by the prosecutor, Mr Stamatis Daskalopoulos.” For now, no decision has been reached regarding the case. The case has attracted huge interest in Greece since 2013. Unlike what the regulations in England say, UEFA can take action against clubs or individuals if there is substantiated proof of wrongdoing.

For the past six seasons, Olympiakos have lifted the Greek Super League title. They are in the group stage of the Europa League this term after losing out in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Marinakis might still get to buy the club just as Massimo Cellino bought Leeds despite the fraud charges before him. He was eventually convicted of the charges. Marinakis has no criminal convictions, so by the EFL rules, he is still on the path of acquiring Forest as talks with Kuwaiti owner Fawaz al-Hasawi have been on for several months.