Greece has temporarily suspended state funding to the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) and ordered financial audits amid a match-fixing and bribery investigation involving federation president Vangelis Liolios.

Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis ordered the suspension of legally mandated subsidies and requested an extraordinary financial and management audit covering 2024, 2025, and 2026, according to a ministry statement.

The audit will be conducted by the General Directorate of Financial Audits of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, while the National Transparency Authority will carry out a separate review.

The ministry said match manipulation can result in financial penalties for sports organizations, alongside criminal and disciplinary sanctions, including restrictions on funding distributed through gambling revenues.

Greek police said Thursday that six people were arrested under judicial warrants over suspected bribery and unlawful interference in basketball matches.

Five suspects were detained during coordinated operations Wednesday in Attica, Achaea, and Katerini, while a sixth voluntarily appeared at police headquarters and was arrested.

Authorities also seized €931,463 ($1.08 million) in cash, 14 mobile phones, six laptops and other electronic devices during searches of the suspects' homes.

Liolios, who denies wrongdoing, was granted additional time to prepare his defense and is expected to appear before an investigating magistrate on Sunday, Oct. 25, alongside businessman Giorgos Mavraganis.

Former referee Petros Papapetrou was scheduled to appear before an investigating magistrate Friday, Oct. 23, to present his defense, while three other defendants, including EuroLeague referee Vasiliki Tsaroucha, are expected to appear Monday, Oct. 26.

According to Greek media reports citing witness testimony, investigators are examining five alleged bribery incidents involving payments to referees, including claims that €5,000 ($5,600) was paid in certain cases.

A witness also reportedly alleged that Liolios was aware of the arrangements, a claim he denies.

Investigators are additionally examining messages allegedly containing advance information about referee appointments.

Separately, Papapetrou has denied wrongdoing and said he can account for €820,000 reportedly discovered at his home during a police search.

The case may involve approximately 50 basketball games played between 2016 and 2026, including professional, youth and school competitions.

- Greek basketball legend seeks to testify

Greek basketball legend Panagiotis Giannakis wants to testify in the case and may formally join proceedings in support of the prosecution, his lawyer said Friday.

The 67-year-old former player and coach, nicknamed The Dragon, is expected to address the allegations Monday, Oct. 26, after reviewing the case file.

His name appears in witness testimony concerning a March 2018 game between Faros and Aris, when Giannakis, then Aris coach, was ejected following two technical fouls. A witness alleged that the refereeing decisions were deliberate.

His lawyer, Andreas Mitsainas, said Giannakis wants to clarify the allegations and contribute to establishing what happened.

"This whole situation is a dark cloud over Greek basketball," Mitsainas said. (AA)