ATHENS: The prolonged investigation into alleged corruption in Greek football appears to be nearing an end after the Supreme Court dropped four criminal charges against Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of record champions Olympiacos and English former European title-holders Nottingham Forest.

The 50-year-old tycoon had faced allegations over extortion, arson, fraud and participation in a criminal organisation. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling vindicated Marinakis’s  insistence on always denying any wrongdoing.

This is the second time that the Greek shipping and football club owner had faced unproven allegations.

In 2011, in the Koriopolis scandal, Marinakis was accused of felony charges and also then found.

In a statement after the latest court verdict, Marinakis said he would continue to support both Olympiacos and Nottingham Forrest “and conduct his business affairs in a principled and professional manner.”
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