Wednesday marks a pivotal moment for Greek basketball, as the fate of the national championship hinges on the outcome of a high-stakes government initiative. The Ministry of Education, under the guidance of Deputy Sports Minister Ioannis Vroutsis, has summoned the owners of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos for a crucial meeting in an attempt to de-escalate rising tensions between the two clubs.
Vroutsis had previously made it clear that the refusal of either side to attend would lead to the suspension of the championship. Emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding public safety in sports, he warned that the entire league would bear the consequences—not individual clubs—should the dialogue not take place.
Although initially insisting that the meeting must include all parties simultaneously to be meaningful, Vroutsis appeared to soften his stance in a later interview. Speaking to Action24, he suggested that even separate appearances by the owners later in the day could suffice, provided they publicly commit to preserving the integrity of the competition and to ensuring a respectful, non-toxic environment moving forward.
Echoing this sentiment, the government spokesperson clarified that sitting at the same table was not the end goal. Rather, the priority is a clear and unified commitment from both clubs to guarantee the smooth and safe continuation of the finals.
Despite this shift in tone, the divide between the two sides remains pronounced. Olympiacos, in a statement issued yesterday, expressed support for the continuation of the finals but firmly rejected any prospect of sharing a table with Panathinaikos president Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
Shortly thereafter, Panathinaikos confirmed that Giannakopoulos intended to meet with Vroutsis regardless, further highlighting the rift.
The government stepped in after tensions flared during Sunday’s second final at Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), where Giannakopoulos’ presence provoked hostile reactions from Olympiacos fans, leading to disruptive behavior and his eventual removal to prevent delays.
Following Sunday’s incident, Olympiacos filed a lawsuit against Giannakopoulos, prompting a brief but unsuccessful police search. In response, Giannakopoulos launched his own legal action against the Olympiacos leadership, triggering a second wave of urgent proceedings.
