A Greek political figure, Grigoris Dimitriadis, has strongly responded after a clash with Nottingham Forrest and Olympiacos F.C owner Evangelos Marinakis during a EuroLeague Final. Dimitriadis denied wrongdoing, said he acted in self-defense, and accused Marinakis of aggressive behavior and trying to shift blame.
Grigoris Dimitriadis has responded strongly after a public clash involving Evangelos Marinakis during the EuroLeague Final between Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid.
Footage circulating online appeared to show Marinakis in a heated moment in the stands, with reports describing him wearing a torn shirt and being held back by security.
Dimitriadis, a former close advisor to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, released a detailed statement on X addressing the incident and the growing dispute between the two sides.
He claimed that Marinakis filed a lawsuit against him and reacted with very strong language, accusing the football executive of aggressive behavior and trying to shift public attention away from the incident.
Dimitriadis said he acted only in self-defense, insisting that his priority was to protect himself, his wife, and his reputation during the situation.
He also stressed that he is fully available to authorities and not avoiding any legal process, directly contrasting himself with Marinakis.
In his statement, Dimitriadis also referred to ongoing legal matters involving the football executive and rejected any suggestion that Marinakis should position himself as a moral authority in the case.
Full statement:
"I was informed that Evangelos Marinakis has filed a lawsuit against me. His audacity knows no limits. At a time when all of Greece has seen his despicable and cowardly attack, carried out with his organized army of hired thugs, he now wants to play the victim and come out on top, continuing his vulgar tactics. And all of this while Olympiacos was playing one of the most important games in the club's history.
Let's make this clear: the only thing I did was defend myself in order to protect my wife, myself, my honor, and my reputation. These are words Mr. Marinakis does not understand.
It is unthinkable that, whatever differences may exist, they should be settled in this way.
Unlike Mr. Marinakis, I am not hiding in London. I remain here and I am at the disposal of the authorities for any clarifications that may be needed.
After all, I have never troubled the Greek justice system. Mr. Marinakis, on the other hand, has done so many times, most recently with the criminal prosecution against him in the Lyggeridis murder case. So it is, at the very least, absurd for Mr. Marinakis to pretend to be the guardian of legality and the moral judge of others.
Let's be done with this. I have never learned to bow my head to anyone. I will protect my family, my principles, and my values until the end. Mr. Marinakis will not drag all of us down into his mud.
Mr. Marinakis, you will not turn this country into Colombia."
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