Evangelos Marinakis, the owner and Chairman of national champions Olympiacos (pictured), has been banned from football and released on bail – under strict conditions – during an investigation into alleged corruption and match-fixing in Greek football. Reuters reported that, according to judicial sources, Marinakis had been ordered to report to police every 15 days on strict bail terms. Marinakis, a Greek shipping magnate, was called into questioning by the anti-corruption magistrate Giorgos Andreadis at the Council of Misdemeanours in Athens. He has reportedly been accused of being involved in and directing a criminal organisation, aiding and abetting blackmailing, aiding and abetting extortion, and aiding and abetting bribery and fraud.

Marikanis has now reportedly been released on bail of €200,000 after giving testimony to the Athens prosecutor Andreadis in a seven-hour hearing. As Marikanis may no longer participate in any football-related activities, he must now quit as Chairman of Olympiacos, but can reportedly retain ownership of the company that runs the club. In response, Marikanis posted a statement on Olympiacos’ official website.

‘I want to assure the world of Olympiacos that today’s decision has no impact on our team.

I remain president, shareholder and guarantor of the future of our Olympiacos.

After the board meeting scheduled for Monday 22^nd June, we will announce the decisions on our plans for the 2015-2016 season, which have been already designed and launched with the aim of winning the Championship and enjoying a great run in the Champions League.’

In October 2014, Greek broadcaster Skai TV published documents from the Council of Misdemeanours in Athens outlining the decision to launch a preliminary investigation into 16 individuals, including Marinakis, for a series of alleged offenses centred on match-fixing in Greek football. In December the Guardian reported that charges had been brought against those same individuals. In addition to two Superleague club owners, including Marinakis, those charged included three referees, three other officials from the Greek football association (EPO) and two members of its Central Refereeing Committee.

Marinakis’ release on bail comes 24 hours after the former President of the Greek Football Federation (EPO), Giorgos Sarris, was reportedly also banned from football, released on bail at a sum of €50,000 and ordered to remain in Greece as part of his bail terms. The EPO has not issued a statement on the matter.