Match-fixing suspects could number more than 800
More than 800 suspects are said to be implicated in the match-fixing scandal that has rocked Greek soccer, and profits from bets placed on the games are estimated to have amounted to many millions of euros.
Around 13 million euros was made from betting on a single match currently being investigated by authorities, sources said yesterday.
The suspects, who include Olympiakos owner and Super League president Vangelis Marinakis, Olympiakos Volou president Achilleas Beos and Kavala owner Makis Psomiadis, are accused of setting up an extensive match-fixing network with links in seven countries, in the largest scandal to affect the game in Greece. AEK and Panathinaikos have asked Marinakis to step down as Super League chief.
The list of those being treated as suspects so far stretches to 83 people and includes Olympiakos defender Avraam Papadopoulos, agents, businessmen, former referees, book makers and club officials, mostly from the country?s second division.
Meanwhile, according to a report published yesterday in the Cypriot edition of Kathimerini, a large chunk of the money made in illegal betting was laundered in Cyprus. The cash, the newspaper reported, was transferred to Cyprus inside suitcases. ?It was carried by people above suspicion, before it was deposited in a specific account in a branch of Emporiki Bank,? sources said.
Greece has asked Cypriot authorities to assist in investigations.
