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Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner faces match-fixing trial

Evangelos Marinakis
Image: Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, faces trial over alleged match-fixing in Greece

Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has been told he will face trial in Greece over match-fixing charges.

Marinakis was cleared of four charges - relating to being involved in a criminal organisation, fraud, extortion and arson. He has been told he will face no action over allegedly being involved in the bombing of a referee's bakery.

However, the Judicial Council of Appeals, by two votes to one, decided that he should not be cleared of match fixing.

Vangelis Marinakis has completed a takeover of Nottingham Forest
Image: Marinakis bought Nottingham Forest in May 2017

The 50-year-old is one of 28 individuals facing match-fixing charges. However, Marinakis is adamant he will be cleared of any wrong-doing.

In a statement on Olympiakos' website, he wrote: "The Judicial Council could not reach a unanimous decision, when it found that certain match fixing charges be upheld against me and another 27 persons.

"The 2:1 majority vote will be tested in court, as the chair of the Judicial Council expressed the dissenting view that those charges will have to be dismissed as well.

"I am certain that my innocence with regard to these remaining charges will be demonstrated by the judicial process that will ensue, thus fully exonerating me and vindicating the stated opinion of the chair of the Judicial Council."

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Marinakis stated that while proceedings against him where underway, he would be replaced as chairman by Giannis Moralis - the current vice president of the club, and mayor of Piraeus.

The Greek shipping magnate bought Forest in May, but it is unclear how the charges that he faces will affect the Championship club.

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