By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With Olympiacos gym near a sold-out in what’s expected to be the last game of the season between the Reds and Panathinaikos, the Greens’ owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos is present in the “Peace and Friendship Stadium”, as the arena of Olympiacos is called.
However, Olympiacos has already notified the Greek authorities via an official letter that in such a case, there’s no guarantee about the safety conditions during the game.
Panathinaikos reacted with the following press release: “It was with great surprise that we were informed of a letter from Olympiacos for which we were never notified (!) and was secretly sent to the police and other authorities.
In this letter, which is full of lies, Olympiacos unequivocally admits that they are unable to ensure safe conditions for the game at their gym and that the physical presence of a member of our team will cause “extensive diversions and unprofessional behavior” from the spectators and also from anyone involved in the game. At the same time, they are trying in vain to impose on us – contrary to regulations and laws – which persons we will choose to include in our team. It is unprecedented and beyond any limitation action that exposes its authors.
We expect exemplary punishment from both the Euroleague and the Greek Justice for the indirect threats made in this letter.
We would like to inform you that Mr. Giannakopoulos is on his way to the rest of our team’s mission to the gym”.
Giannakopoulos has arrived at the gym together with the rest of Panathinaikos’ team and Olympiacos issued the following press release: “Euroleague informed us that they recognize Dimitris Giannakopoulos as a member of Panathinaikos BC and that he has the right to be on the bench of his team, even though he is a mere sports fan (ed.note: Manos Papadopoulos is officially the team president and owner).
After that, we ask our fans to protect the team and not respond to the actions of Dimitris Giannakopoulos, whose sole purpose is to provoke with his behavior.
Protect our team and lead our players to victory”.
Panathinaikos and Dimitris Giannakopoulos arriving at Olympiacos pic.twitter.com/LPyhkUJ58A
— Antonis Stroggylakis (@AStroggylakis) March 3, 2020
Ultimately with the tension rising high, Giannakopoulos left Olympiacos’ gym at the halftime of the game. He was sitting near the bench of Panathinaikos during the first half under police protection.