Olympiakos soccer club has responded to the prosecution of its president and four senior officials in a Greek soccer-related criminal case, describing the charges as politically motivated.
Charges were filed on Tuesday against Olympiakos President Evangelos Marinakis, vice presidents Yiannis Moralis (who is also the mayor of Piraeus), Kostas Karapapas, Dimitris Agrafiotis, and Michalis Kountouris.
“The recent development, which has been anticipated for weeks by certain political and business circles, represents a new attempt to blackmail Olympiakos in order to weaken both the Olympiakos family and its president,” the club said in a press release on Wednesday.
“Even the most naive person can understand that the timing is not accidental. This particular maneuver has political undertones and unfortunately manipulates the very institution of justice. Those responsible for this conspiracy are the ones who operate with the tactics of a shadow state in the country’s public life,” the statement continued.
“The president of Olympiakos and the Olympiakos family have clear consciences. They cannot be blackmailed or broken.”
A total of 167 defendants have been accused of being part of a criminal organization in Greek soccer. The activities of this organization have also been linked to the death of 31-year-old Giorgos Lyngeridis in December 2023. Lyngeridis succumbed to his injuries 20 days after being struck by a flare during an attack on riot police outside a volleyball stadium in Rentis, near Piraeus.
The charges against the five Olympiakos executives are misdemeanors and involve supporting and financing a criminal organization, as well as inciting sports-related violence.
The charges were filed following an order from the magistrate overseeing the case, which has already led to the pre-trial detention of dozens of defendants, including prominent members of Gate 7, Olympiakos’ largest fan club, in April.