Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been accused of offenses, including ‘aiding a criminal organization and provoking violence related to sports.’
Olympiacos, also owned by Marinakis, issued a strong statement in reaction to the charges, alleging that it is an act of blackmail by “those who operate under quasi-governmental conditions in the country’s public life.”
Marinakis, along with several officials from the Greek club, was charged as part of an investigation into a criminal organization within football, which is reportedly connected to the murder of a police officer last year.
Each individual has been ordered to appear before the investigating magistrate next Tuesday, though they can request a delay to prepare their defense.
Dozens of people, including prominent members of Olympiacos fan group Gate 7, have been arrested in connection with the upcoming trial over the death of officer Giorgos Lyggeridis, who was fatally shot in the thigh during a violent incident at a volleyball match between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in Athens.
In a statement, Olympiacos described the charges as “a new attempt to blackmail the club in order to coerce both the Olympiacos family and its President.”
They added, “This development is part of the ongoing unjust mass targeting of our supporters as a criminal organization.”
They stated, “Even the most naive can see that the timing is not coincidental. This approach has political motives and, regrettably, exploits the justice system as a tool.”
“They further claimed, ‘Those who operate under quasi-governmental conditions in the country’s public life are behind this chaos.'”
“The President of PAE Olympiacos and the Olympiacos family have a clear conscience; they are not being blackmailed and will not be coerced.”
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