Court of Arbitration for Sport dismisses Mr. Giannakopoulos’ appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday dismissed in its entirety an appeal made on March 9, 2018, by Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos of a decision issued by the Appeals Judge of Euroleague Basketball (EB) on February 27, 2018, thereby confirming the latter decision.

Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos has also been ordered to cover all costs of the arbitration.

Mr. Giannakopoulos had been sanctioned by the EB Disciplinary Judge in February with a 12-month ban from accessing arenas where EB competitions are being played due to his public statements, which were judged to endanger the duly harmonious relationship among clubs and to be detrimental to the sport of basketball in accordance with Article 24.1.g) of the Disciplinary Code.

Later, on February 27, 2018, the EB Appeals Judge reduced the 12-month ban to five months while adding to it an accessory fine of €60,000.

Subsequently, Euroleague Basketball imposed three additional sanctions – of €60,000, €120,000, and €180,000, respectively – for violations of the decision of the Appeals Judge. Such sanctions remain in place and applicable, as well.