The trial of Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest and chairman of Olympiacos FC, began in Greece on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. This landmark case, held at Athens' high-security Korydallos prison, involves 142 individuals, primarily soccer fans, and is the largest of its kind related to sports violence that Greek authorities have vowed to crack down on.
Marinakis and four other board members are facing misdemeanor charges of supporting a criminal organization and instigating violence through statements against authorities between 2019 and 2024. The other 142 fans face charges of running a criminal organization and causing life-threatening explosions at sporting events. All defendants have denied any wrongdoing. Marinakis, a shipping and media tycoon, was not present in court and was represented by his lawyer. Masked police officers were present, guarding the defendants in detention. Over 210 people are expected to testify before the three-member bench during the trial, which lawyers estimate could last more than a year. The court adjourned until November 25 after the presiding judge read out the names of the defendants and witnesses.
The investigation was initiated following the death of 31-year-old riot police officer George Lyngeridis, who was fatally injured in clashes outside a women's volleyball match between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in 2023. Investigations revealed that some fans had moved flares and explosives from the Olympiacos football stadium to the volleyball venue before the match. Lyngeridis was struck by a flare during the clashes and died from his injuries weeks later. His father said outside the courtroom that "We want a fair trial". This incident marked Greece's third fatality related to sports violence between 2022 and 2023, prompting the top court prosecutor to demand a crackdown on criminal gangs linked to sports.
Sports-related violence has been a significant problem in Greece in recent years. Hardcore supporters of clubs frequently clash with police outside stadiums and engage in arranged street brawls with rival fans. Hooliganism is also a major concern for UEFA, European football's governing body.
Marinakis has refuted the charges, with his lawyer calling them "totally baseless". He has accused the Greek government of interfering with the media and justice systems to protect its image, claiming the accusations are a coordinated effort to silence him. In a statement on Olympiacos' website, Marinakis stated that the real target was press freedom, democracy, and his media group. He further accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his media allies of blackmail and weaponizing the justice system. A government spokesman responded by stating that all citizens are equal before an independent justice system.
Vasso Pantazi, a defense lawyer for one of the soccer fans, commented, "This is one of the most serious cases of fan violence that will occupy us and will mark a turning point for the Greek criminal system". She also noted the need for change within the educational framework to prevent young people from directing their anger into stadium riots.
