Giannis Alafouzos is a gentleman on a mission.
For many years, Greek soccer has been riddled with accusations of corruption and match-correcting alongside with a tradition of intimidation and violence toward referees.
For case in point, the 2015 match-correcting scandal observed prosecutors claim up to 70 people today – which involved players, referees, club executives and men and women from the country’s federation – had formed a felony organisation in order to command the game through repairing matches and blackmail, ahead of all 70 were finally acquitted subsequent a six-yr situation.
Equally, in 2012, a bakery that was owned by referee Petros Konstantineas – who refused to deal with a activity – was bombed, forcing his relatives to into hiding.
As a result, the name of Greek football has been tarnished.
Panathinaikos president Giannis Alafouzos is determined to clean up up football in Greece
Alafouzos is now in his second spell as president of the Greek giants (pictured in green)
But Alafouzos – now in his 2nd spell as president of Greek giants Panathinaikos following initially conserving the club from personal bankruptcy in 2012 – is established to very clear up the sport in the place.
‘Since I was a child I have often believed teams can’t be owned by business folks mainly because they belong to the followers,’ he exclusively told Mail Activity.
‘There have been lots of allegations about scandals and match-fixing but few convictions.
‘I consider things did improve and everyone tried to enhance governance in Greek soccer for a variety of decades but I have some reservations and maybe we’re regressing once more.’
The admission of regression potentially will come adhering to the news that broke final week of Europol staying amongst the organisations investigating 18 groups for suspected participation in an illegal betting ring, anything the Greek Football Federation claimed to know nothing about.
5 of these teams compete in the Greek Tremendous League alongside Panathinaikos, although the other 13 are in the 2nd tier.
‘Yes, it’s a primary instance (of the troubles),’ he added. ‘There have been a large amount of allegations and stories in the press and I sense the (Greek Football) federation ought to have taken extra measures and reacted speedier.
‘We had a meeting last week wherever there was a committee of expert football golf equipment and the federation and we designed our case and it was approved and with any luck , they will now endure the important investigation.’
Alafouzos has despatched letters to both equally the Greek Football Federation and the Professional Football Committee in Greece urging this incident to be a ‘trigger for a considerable cleansing of experienced football’.
But what else can be finished to help thoroughly clean up football more usually in the region?
‘The federation has to become much better at keeping increased expectations,’ he spelled out.
‘We have had an challenge around the several years that they have not been up to expectations and UEFA has experienced to stage in as soon as or twice but which is in which the trouble begins.
Alafouzos urged Greek footballing authorities to do more to deal with difficulties in the place
Panathinaikos have seen a number of rivals clubs in the Greek Super League concerned in scandals
‘Unless you are getting policed persons can be tempted not to adhere to the guidelines. The federation has to turn into stricter and more efficient in dealing with concerns.
‘We’re doing the job really hard on that. We’ve composed letters to UEFA and the Greek Soccer Federation and visited them, inquiring them to increase the ethical standards and surveillance of what is likely on and I hope this will have some affect.’
Somewhere else, Greece has also viewed various controversial refereeing incidents in current periods.
Last year, UEFA despatched elite Polish officials to Greece for a large-profile activity involving AEK Athens and Aris yet they have been accused of getting drunk and disorderly when they were being on the airplane there – an accusation they deny – and subsequently were replaced by Greek officials.
It was alleged the new refereeing staff ended up most likely to be much more pleasant to AEK Athens in the sport.
Equally, Italian referee Davide Massa was known as in to officiate a tense Athens derby amongst Olympiakos and AEK.
Nonetheless, the activity was marred by unattractive scenes and the official claimed he was attacked in the tunnel later on and kicked in the crotch.
Alafouzos reported: ‘I wish we taken care of referees in a improved way. About the yrs Panathinaikos have hardly ever been included in any allegations of mistreatment or scandals and we try to demonstrate regard to officials and opponents.
‘I hope extra and extra teams see there is a further way to do items.’
On the pitch, matters are on the up for Alafouzos and Panathinaikos less than the tutelage of seasoned Serbian coach Ivan Jovanovic.
Jovanovic has overseen a big turnaround at the club as regardless of rating historically as one of Greece’s most effective groups, they haven’t gained the domestic title given that 2009-10.
Panathinaikos (pictured in opposition to Male United in a group match in 2003) utilized to be regulars in the Champions League but have not certified for the competitors because the 2010-11 season
They are now getting ready for their 2nd qualifying round initial leg tie versus Dnipro
Nonetheless, final season’s 2nd location finish was their maximum in eight a long time while they also won the Greek Cup in 2021-22.
In the same way, after remaining regulars in the Champions League during the early portion of the 21st century, Panathinaikos haven’t highlighted in the competition for 13 years.
This incorporated a three-calendar year ban from UEFA in 2018 because of to the club failing to pay out their debts and final 12 months they suffered the ignominy of shedding in the Europa Meeting League third qualifying round to Slavia Prague.
Tuesday night’s Champions League 2nd qualifying round to start with leg tie versus Ukrainian outfit Dnipro is consequently a massive minute for the club.
The activity is at the Kosicka Arena in Slovakia, in advance of the return leg again in Athens up coming week.
And Alafouzos can scarcely wait for the tie to get underway, with the winners set to deal with Marseille in the 3rd qualifying round.
He mentioned: ‘We are incredibly psyched and hopeful that we will do nicely. It really is really important to us as we’ve done a ton of operate.
‘We would be elated to make it as a result of to the group phase and it would make a big big difference fiscally.
‘I consider our earnings would possibly triple which would only have favourable impacts.
‘The club is hoping to boost requirements for the reason that we want our staff to turn out to be additional internationally known and assistance our huge fanbase. We are also extending our teaching floor and creating a new stadium.
Points are on the up less than the tutelage of professional Serbian mentor Ivan Jovanovic (proper)
Alafouzos – in his second spell as president – is desperate to return to the Champions League
‘Last yr we experienced much more enthusiasts at games than for yrs and items are slowly but surely seeking up and I hope we would not make any big faults that will get us again.’
In spite of the significant issues Alafouzos faces on and off the pitch in cleansing up Greek football and strengthening the fortunes of Panathinaikos, he continues to be optimistic.
He stated: ‘When I became associated in 2012 it was a pretty tough combat, in particular as this coincided with Greece’s big monetary complications so it was a pretty challenging interval.
‘But in the last couple of decades we have been in a position to offer with our financial problems and spend extra and much more in the workforce and in facilities.
‘Greek football can be pretty thrilling and initial division football right here carries on to enhance but I would like to see Greece rank increased amongst the UEFA nations.
‘There’s been quite a little bit of investment decision in the prime football groups and I hope we do effectively in Europe not just for the club but also for our fellow Greek groups so we can have a bigger participation in European football.
‘The profits that can be generated from that is quite considerable for Greek groups. At the finish of the working day, it’s not just about the glory but also the money.’