Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the highly visible and often controversial owner of Panathinaikos, faces a significant suspension for his actions both in Euroleague and the Greek league. An independent judge’s report concluded that Giannakopoulos entered a prohibited zone near the scorer’s table during a game, escalating tensions. His disciplinary record was also a key factor in the ruling.
Should his team advance to Game 3 of their series, Giannakopoulos will be absent for both Final Four games, which are ironically scheduled to take place at the OAKA Arena in Athens. A statement from the league outlined the rationale:
- “While violations of restricted areas are generally considered minor offenses under Euroleague regulations, the judge took into account that Mr. Giannakopoulos’ actions contributed to creating a situation that could lead to tensions and violence. Furthermore, the independent judge considered Mr. Giannakopoulos’ history of repeated offenses.”
- “Euroleague Basketball firmly rejects any behavior that could incite violence and goes against the core values championed by the League.”
- “Euroleague Basketball will submit a review of the relevant provisions of the Disciplinary Code governing such conduct to its shareholders, with the aim of strengthening sanctions for the 2026-2027 season. This includes clear and specific sanctions for severe offenses, potentially leading to lifetime bans for players. The objective is to eradicate any behavior that tarnishes the image of the League and its participating teams.”
In a separate incident, Monaco’s point guard, Mike James, was fined €6,000 and received a one-game suspended ban for his conduct after being ejected from a game against Olympiakos.
James commented on X:
“I won’t be talking to referees about calls anymore. It will be difficult for me but even if the game was probably over I hurt my team and didn’t make it easier for them. I gotta be better. Back to the series…”