Giannakopoulos Banned for 10 Months Following Panathinaikos-Olympiacos Game

Athens, Greece – Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the prominent owner of Panathinaikos basketball club, has been handed a 10-month ban from all basketball games by the Hellenic Basketball Federation's (ESAK) disciplinary committee. The decision follows a series of incidents that took place during the crucial third final game of the Basket League between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos at the SEF arena. The video evidence presented by the ESAK shows Giannakopoulos engaging in confrontational behavior with referees and opposing team members. Along with Giannakopoulos, other Panathinaikos players, including Ergin Ataman, Kostas Sloukas, Ioannis Papapetrou and Mathias Lessort, faced penalties ranging from fines to suspensions. A source close to the Panathinaikos team stated, "We are disappointed with the decision, but we respect the process." The ESAK aims to maintain order and fair play within the league, and this decision serves as a strong message against disruptive behavior. The incident highlights the high-stakes nature of professional basketball and the importance of maintaining sportsmanship.