Euroleague judge detained in Greece match-fixing case
Greek referee Vasiliki Tsarukh was detained as part of an investigation into the manipulation of the results of basketball matches and temporarily suspended from the Euroleague. The case involves at least six people
Euroleague judge Vasiliki Tsarukh has been detained on suspicion of involvement in a massive match-fixing scandal in Greek basketball. She was detained at the Greek airport on her return from Turkey, where she was judging a Eurocup match.
The Euroleague announced the temporary suspension of the Tsarova from work. "Judge Vasiliki Tsaruch is suspended from refereeing in all Euroleague Basketball competitions pending the completion of both the local authorities investigation and the internal Euroleague Basketball proceedings," the league said in a statement.
According to Gazzetta.gr, as part of the investigation, Tsaruch, the president of the Greek Basketball Federation (EOK) Vangelis Liolios, former Euroleague judge Ilias Koromilas and judge Petros Papapetru, entrepreneur and former basketball player Yorgos Mavraganis and former international judge and member of the Central Judicial Committee of the federation (KED) Thasos Piloidis were detained. Arrest warrants are expected for three more people.
The investigation concerns possible manipulation of the results of matches in the top division of Greek basketball and in the lower leagues. During searches in the safe, one of the judges under investigation was found €820,000 in cash.
Three of the defendants – Tsarukha, Koromilas and Papapetra – in the period from 2018 to 2026 judged matches of the Euroleague. Authorities are looking into possible violations dating back at least five years. The case file contains witness statements, complaints and correspondence involving basketball officials.
