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Spanish Police Open Record and EuroLeague Launches Urgent Case Into Panathinaikos Owner

The fast-track review could bar Dimitris Giannakopoulos from the Athens Final Four at Panathinaikos' arena.

Overview

  • Panathinaikos beat Valencia 107-105 in overtime Thursday on Nigel Hayes-Davis' last-second basket, putting Valencia down 0-2 in the EuroLeague quarterfinal series.
  • Spanish Policía Nacional opened an acta, a formal report that triggers an administrative inquiry, after postgame turmoil at Valencia’s Roig Arena, and officers later identified Giannakopoulos and staff in the locker area.
  • EuroLeague has started an urgent disciplinary file on Giannakopoulos, and reporting says a ban is being considered that could keep him from attending games, including the Athens Final Four if Panathinaikos advances.
  • Valencia condemned the owner’s conduct, alleging he approached the scorers’ table, tried to influence officials, and ignored security orders, while coach Pedro Martínez called for league action.
  • Panathinaikos pushed back, with coach Ergin Ataman decrying a heavy police presence and the club accusing Valencia of poor security, as Giannakopoulos denied going to the table and rebutted the claims on Instagram; he was suspended five games after last year’s Final Four, a precedent now in focus.