UEFA stick by Olympiakos despite match-fixing shame, for the moment

Evangelos Marinakis2

July 1 – Olympiakos are for the moment retaining their spot in the Champions League despite the Greek club’s owner Evangelos ‘Vangelis’ Marinakis being accused of running a racketeering and match-fixing ring.

Marinakis was banned earlier this month and has been ordered to report to police every two weeks.

Olympiakos have qualified directly for the Champions League group stage after winning the Greek Super League last season but an exclusive expose by Insideworldfootball has revealed the full extent of corruption pervading Greek football.

UEFA are monitoring developments but have “provisionally admitted Olympiakos” into next season’s Champions League, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino told reporters

“There are investigations in Greece (and) the situation could change…as we all know, this kind of investigation can take some time, we need to have some clear evidence,” he said.

“I think our bodies have shown they are very firm when it comes to match-fixing; if there is any evidence, they will take this into account. There is a clear rule as well which automatically excludes a club involved in match-fixing.”

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