Nottingham Forest owner and Olympiacos president Evangelos Marinakis went on trial in Athens, accused of instigating football violence and supporting a criminal organisation. The 58-year-old businessman appeared through his lawyer, Vassilis Dimakopoulos, alongside four Olympiacos board members.
Prosecutors charged them with two misdemeanours: inciting violence against authorities and aiding a criminal group between 2019 and 2024. Marinakis and his co-defendants rejected the accusations. “The charges are completely baseless,” Dimakopoulos told BBC Sport.
Authorities have also charged 142 fans with membership in a criminal organisation and causing life-threatening explosions at sporting events. Seven of those fans face additional charges for allegedly running the group.
Tragedy Behind the Case
The case stems from the fatal injury of 31-year-old riot police officer George Lyngeridis, who died after being struck by a flare during violent clashes outside a women’s volleyball match between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in 2023. Lyngeridis succumbed to his injuries several weeks later, prompting a large-scale investigation into organised football violence.
The trial began on Wednesday afternoon, starting later than scheduled. Proceedings opened at 13:30 local time and ended around 15:00. More than 200 witnesses are expected to testify in the coming months as the court examines the events surrounding the fatal incident.
Tight Security and Lengthy Proceedings Expected
Due to the large number of defendants, the trial is being held in a specially built courtroom next to Korydallos high-security prison in southern Attica. The defence has requested a larger space, which judges will consider before the next hearing later this month.
A three-member judicial panel will oversee the case and issue rulings by majority. Police cordoned off streets around the courthouse early Wednesday, enforcing strict security checks. Officers screened every entrant with ID verification and metal detectors, while separate entrances were provided for lawyers, witnesses, and journalists.
A temporary media centre was set up nearby as the session began in complete silence. Judges called the names of all defendants and witnesses, while armed police in hoods stood guard.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 25, as Greece continues to confront football-related violence that has shaken the country’s sporting reputation.
