On the occasion of the re-election of Vangelis Galatsopoulos to the position of President of the Greek league, Panathinaikos Athens issued an official announcement attacking both the newly-elected chairman and the head of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, Vangelis Liolios.

The Greens are wondering why Galatsopoulos was elected again since not long ago, nine clubs were openly against that possibility.

Furthermore, PAO mention certain problems that the current Greek league management hasn't been able to resolve. Among other issues, they cite the absence of a central sponsor, the ever-declining revenue, the exaggerated expenses at the president's disposal, and the licensing system.

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Panathinaikos also attack the federation's president Vangelis Liolios, with particular emphasis on the officiating of last Sunday's derby against Olympiacos Piraeus at OAKA. The six-time EuroLeague champs think referees decided the winner.

"We will do what's necessary to create a team that no one will be able to touch on the court. We are not going away, we are not relegating ourselves, we are not going to give up," the announcement reads with reference to Olympiacos'(self)-relegation in 2019.

The main points of the announcement

"Panathinaikos BC congratulates Evangelos Galatsopoulos on his re-election to the presidency of the Greek league (ESAKE) and wishes him good luck in his new term.

A man who in early September was blacklisted by nine clubs who signed a document and then asked him to resign, in order not to be pilloried by the motion of censure and the disapproval of the clubs themselves.

• The Basket League is reaching its final stretch and no central sponsor has yet been found.
• Sponsorships declined dramatically.
• The position of President ensures a fat salary of 4,500 euros plus countless expenses, but Mr. Galatsopoulos works part-time and shows up in Athens once every twenty days, even if this is combined with his other professional obligations.
• The All-Star Game (played on the day of the World Cup final) generated 5.200 euros in revenues from ticket sales).
• Galatsopoulos distributed the money from the TV contract without relying on any criteria or algorithm of calculation based on viewership, marketability, or last year's league ranking.
• He filed a problematic licensing regulation.

As far as the Greek federation, PAO note that Liolios had been asked to take responsibility for the bad officiating.

"The result was altered in Sunday's game vs. Olympiacos, just as it had been in the first round at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Panathinaikos as the biggest club in Greece and the guardian of Greek basketball will not follow paths of polarization and dissolution. We never chose the easy path. We are here and we will remain to help with all our strength for the good of the sport.

The league's presidency should operate with the sole aim of the interest of the clubs because until now the only thing that has worked perfectly has been the lavish buffets at the meetings. We hope that Mr. Galatsopoulos will be able to correct the image of professional basketball by turning a page on the way it operates. If he succeeds, we'll be the first to give him credit.

Panathinaikos is Greek basketball and in the very difficult moments of the sport, we will once again stand as an absolute shield against any attack against it."