Statement by Messrs. Angelopoulos

During the last two days and in the light of the incidents of the League's fifth final, we became witnesses of a despicable effort to even out completely different situations and behaviors, publicly delegating blame and denouncing the admittedly healthiest part of the Greek Sports.

All these years being the owners of Olympiacos BC SA, we have actively fought against any form of violence, either if it stems from fans or from the administrative/managerial members of any club.

Hence, following on yesterday's stand Olympiacos BC took, we emphatically condemn the unacceptable behavior of an isolated number of people, who willed the interruption of the game. Such behaviors do not abide by the ethos shown by Olympiacos' basketball department and have no place within our team. We also commit, to the extent of our abilities and with the mandatory assistance of the Greek Police Force that is by law the only competent authority to conduct body search of the fans and impose law and order in the stadiums, to continue doing whatever possible to isolate these people and prevent such events in the future.
 
We also cannot begin to understand the tolerance exhibited from more than a week now against the criminally challenging provocations of the recidivist owner of Panathinaikos BC Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who publicly provoked violence with his continuous inflammatory remarks on social media and the unprecedented paid TV spot that was broadcast on SKAI TV. Even on the game day, and despite welcoming him at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in front of our fans, he attacked the refs with vulgar language and willingly set ablaze the fans, in the presence of all the competent police and court authorities. So, we have to wonder, how come and no one has until today proceeded with arresting and prosecuting him?
 
With respect to us, we acknowledge all the mistakes we have made managing Olympiacos BC. Making mistakes is unavoidable but million miles away from being compared or linked to whatever delinquent or unlawful behavior. During our long term engagement with the Club management, we have chosen to follow a very hard path. We do not depend on any third party, we do not own or control any media whatsoever, and we completely respect the laws, decisions and institutions of Greek Justice. This is our truth and our guiding light.

Olympiacos' basketball department enjoys absolute respect and recognition, not only for its success, but mainly due to the health of the department. The support and apotheosis offered by the pure fans, the opponents, as well the whole of the basketball community to our athletes during the Istanbul Final Four is living proof of that.
 
To this team, with the thousands of fans that offered their support, peacefully and with passion throughout the season, up to last minutes of the fifth League final, only the top is becoming and that's where we'll be trying to get it back to next season. Always according to our principles and values, our way and no matter who likes us or not.

Panagiotis & Giorgos Angelopoulos