Giannakopoulos declares victory: 'We sent Bertomeu home' / News - Basketnews.com

Having paid close to 2 million euros in fines, Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos declared victory over the former EuroLeague administration that was headed by Jordi Bertomeu.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Following the official acquisition of the OAKA arena, Panathinaikos Athens owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos released an official statement about the current state of the club and the future of the organization.

Free throws this season

74%16,0Points made:16,0Accuracy:74,2%Place in standings:4Record max:26Record min:5Most made FTs:Dwayne BaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After revealing that the venue's name will be changed to honor his late father Pavlos Giannakopoulos, DPG, as he's locally known, thanked the Greek government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for their part in the entire process.

Then, Giannakopoulos went on to take a direct jab at the previous EuroLeague administration.

"The club will initiate its comeback, so that it can return to where it belongs, also in terms of results -- at the top of Greece and Europe. Basketball is changing, the EuroLeague is changing. We've paid a heavy price at every level for our revolution and our fight for justice, both in terms of money and wins," he began.

"We sent Bertomeu home. Some spoke of vindication. It's not. It would be if we got back the wins that they took away from us, the qualifications and possibly the trophies -- and of course the money from the merciless hunt because I was speaking out the truth," Giannakopoulos stated.

Giannakopoulos has been fined numerous times throughout his tenure as the Panathinaikos main man by the competition for his comments toward the competition, its management, and the referees.

He's recently claimed that he has paid close to 2 million euros in fines. Now, Giannakopoulos declares victory against the former administration that was headed by president Jordi Bertomeu.

"The fines imposed for the recent incidents in the Real Madrid- Partizan game (and not only) now demonstrate the malice and the real aims of the Bertomeu regime towards me: I had to be silenced or exterminated. They didn't succeed in either of their tasks," he concluded.

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.