Football club official confronting referees in a locker room hallway.
The story as told by a veteran sports correspondent
I have witnessed many tense evenings in Thessaloniki but the events that unfolded after a local amateur football match in October 2024 still echo through conversations across the city. A 64 year old club president found himself at the center of a storm when he stepped into the referees locker room area moments after the final whistle and behaved in a way the officials described as threatening.
The Single Member Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki delivered a firm response. Judges issued a total prison sentence of 16 months without a 3 year suspension and dismissed every mitigating circumstance raised by the defense. The ruling meant the sentence had to be served immediately.
Interior of a Greek courtroom with a judge’s bench.
Soon after the verdict the president submitted a request to prosecutors asking for a temporary suspension of the sentence citing family difficulties. Authorities granted the request and approved a 1 month suspension which allows him to remain free for now while awaiting further legal steps.
Exterior of a Greek justice building in Thessaloniki with a Greek flag.
The incident did not only affect him. His son also faced charges for the same confrontation but the court ultimately acquitted him. As for the 64 year old he insisted during his testimony that he did nothing wrong and said he entered the area only to act as a protective buffer since fans were loudly protesting the refereeing decisions outside.
