Greece: Olympiakos chairman released on bail
AP10:02 a.m. EDT June 18, 2015
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/06/18/greece-olympiakos-chairman-released-on-bail/28915407/
ATHENS, Greece (AP) ? The chairman of Greek champion Olympiakos has been suspended from sporting activities and released on bail after testifying on Thursday in an investigation into alleged corruption in Greek football, putting at risk his side's Champions League spot.
Court officials said Vangelis Marinakis was ordered to appear twice a month at his local police station as part of the conditions of his bail, which was granted after testifying for more than five hours.
The bail was set at 200,000 euros ($230,000).
Prosecutors are investigating allegations that Marinakis led a criminal organization that instigated bribes and blackmail attempts to try and fix results in the top flight of the Greek league.
Marinakis denies the allegations, accusing rival clubs of making false claims against him.
The investigation is ongoing and no decision has been made on whether Marinakis will stand trial.
UEFA rules bar entry to the Champions League and Europa League for any club involved in fixing matches since April 2007
In August 2011, Turkish champion Fenerbahce was withdrawn from the group stage by its national federation while its president was implicated in fixing matches to win the previous season's league title. UEFA reinstated Trabzonspor which had been eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
Panathinaikos was league runner-up last season and could be upgraded to the Champions League group stage from the third qualifying round.