Gr. Ioannidis in the Trial: “The EPO must request evidence from the judiciary in order to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings”

At Lawsuit against SKAI hosted the lawyer and professor of sports law, Grigoris Ioannidison the occasion of the disclosure of the list 14 rigged matches of the illegal betting ring.

What he said in detail:

For penalties: “The nature of the penalties that can be applied has various aspects, there are administrative, criminal and civil. The creation of the DAEB complicates matters further, but is relevant because gambling can cause violence.

As far as disciplinary punishments are concerned – for the world to understand – when someone is on trial it does not mean that he will have the same punishment in the disciplinary one. In these cases, the EPO and the leagues are responsible.”

As to whether the EPO has the right to intervene: “EPO can intervene, the code of ethics says so. In connection with the disciplinary code, it gives the authority of the EPO authorities to examine such cases, it is article 26. According to this it can intervene and decide on a group that is responsible for manipulation”.

On whether the match-fixing cases have been handled correctly by the Greek authorities: “I can’t give an evidence-based opinion, but from what I’m reading I see there is a delay in the disciplinary process, while the new code of conduct says they should be investigated and dealt with quickly. This process should have been started, done autonomously and independently and, also, there should be cooperation of the EPO with the judiciary, so that they can exchange evidence and after a fair trial those involved are punished.

The EPO has neither the state powers nor the technological capabilities to obtain this data. I’m talking about witness statements and phone conversations, which exist between the accused and have been recorded by a bug. Of course, the EPO does not have a bug.”

On whether the EPO should have intervened in the criminal prosecution brought against Olympiakos executives in the Lyggeridis case: “It’s interesting to see and I will come back to the code of conduct, which not only gives the chairman of the ethics committee the ability to intervene, but also the president of the Federation. It should have started. The teams have agreed to these rules, you know the reasons they haven’t been implemented yet.”

For betting in England: “It’s been a long time since we’ve had accusations like this in English football. And of course it is the realm of betting, 11 out of 20 Premier League teams advertise bookies. Even in the lowest division, the Championship, but due to culture and respect for the institutions the problem has been solved. Having served as a lawyer for several English teams, I know that there is respect and there is no impunity. Anyone who breaks the rules will be severely punished.”