Koreas was investigating the case between 2011-2013 and compiled a 173 page report according to which clubs have been relegated and others won millions of euros by participating in European games, through the match fixing process.
Of the 16 suspects, four are Greek Soccer Federation (EPO) officers, two are from the Central Refereeing Committee (KED) and three referees have also been charged. No names have yet been revealed and seven of the 16 suspects face charges of forming a criminal organization.
A report in the To Vima newspaper claims that the criminal organization fixed matches, appointed specific referees to games in order to affect match outcomes and controlled the relegation of soccer teams to the various divisions. The report also notes that the investigation is based on recorded telephone conversations, match results and an explosion that occurred at a referee’s bakery.
Other reports circulating in the Greek press note that the match fixing ring was well organized and using bribery and intimidation to achieve its goals.
Meanwhile, Panathinaikos jumped to third place in the Greek league after Mladen Petric headed in a late goal for a 1-0 win over Panetolikos on Thursday that kept its hopes for a title upset alive.
(Panathinaikos was just a point behind defending champion Olympiakos, which lost 2-1 at home to leader PAOK on Wednesday. The Thessaloniki side leads by five points.)
Asteras Tripoli put on another impressive performance with a 2-0 away win over Niki Volos to rise to fourth place, while rivals on the island of Crete, OFI and Ergotelis, drew 0-0.
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