Football
Associated Press 9y

Olympiakos' Champions League spot at risk amid corruption investigation

ATHENS, Greece -- The chairman of Greek champions Olympiakos has been suspended from sporting activities and released on bail after testifying on Thursday in an investigation into alleged corruption in Greek football, putting at risk his side's Champions League spot.

Court officials said Vangelis Marinakis was ordered to appear twice a month at his local police station as part of the conditions of his bail, which was granted after testifying for more than five hours.

The bail was set at €200,000 ($230,000).

Prosecutors are investigating allegations that Marinakis led a criminal organisation that instigated bribes and blackmail attempts to try and fix results in the top flight of the Greek league.

Marinakis denies the allegations, accusing rival clubs of making false claims against him.

The investigation is ongoing and no decision has been made on whether Marinakis will stand trial.

UEFA rules bar entry to the Champions League and Europa League for any club involved in fixing matches since April 2007

In August 2011, Turkish champions Fenerbahce were withdrawn from the group stage by their national federation while their president was implicated in fixing matches to win the previous season's league title. UEFA reinstated Trabzonspor who had been eliminated in the qualifying rounds.

Panathinaikos were league runners-up last season and could be upgraded to the Champions League group stage from the third qualifying round.

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