EuroLeague shareholder clubs will meet in Como on October 5 and 6 to discuss a takeover proposal submitted by the National Basketball Association.
The upcoming two-day meeting in northern Italy comes as several member teams express growing dissatisfaction with refereeing performance across the European competition. Shareholders are scheduled to review the NBA acquisition offer alongside complaints regarding officiating standards from recent seasons and the start of the current campaign.
EuroLeague Basketball operates as Europe's premier basketball club competition, featuring licensed shareholder teams that manage league governance. The North American NBA has proposed an acquisition structure aimed at expanding its global commercial presence in European basketball.
Greece is represented by two shareholder clubs in the EuroLeague, with both Athens-based teams holding differing perspectives on current refereeing standards. League management under Chief Executive Officer Chus Bueno maintains that current officiating operations remain satisfactory.
Borussia Dortmund Karetsas Request
In football news, German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund has requested special physical management for midfielder Karetsas during his international duty with the Greece national team. The German side raised concerns after the player completed 74 minutes against Serbia and 90 minutes against Germany in recent international fixtures.
Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic maintains that selection decisions will be guided strictly by national team requirements ahead of upcoming matches against the Netherlands on Thursday and Germany on Sunday. Jovanovic has consistently managed squad fitness without creating conflict with domestic or international clubs.
Borussia Dortmund competes in the German top flight and regularly participates in European club competitions. Jovanovic took charge of the Greek national team following extensive managerial experience in domestic club football.
Greek team officials confirmed that Karetsas suffered no physical injury, noting that a brief recent indisposition was minor and fully resolved. The Greek coaching staff intends to select the player for both upcoming international fixtures despite formal requests from the German club.
Mavropanos West Ham Transfer Interest
Greek international central defender Mavropanos has drawn transfer interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs following strong performances for West Ham United and the national team. The defender delivered notable displays during recent international fixtures, including the match against Germany.
Representatives for Mavropanos have been informed of inquiries from English and German clubs as his contract with West Ham approaches its final years. The defender signed a deal with the London club that runs until 2028, setting up a decision to agree an extension or arrange a transfer by the summer of 2027.
West Ham United is an English Premier League club based at the London Stadium in East London. Mavropanos previously played in Germany before securing his transfer to the English top flight.
West Ham United officials prefer to retain the central defender, though Mavropanos remains open to a transfer should a major European club submit a formal offer. Borussia Dortmund expressed interest in signing the defender during the summer transfer window, although formal negotiations did not advance.
PAOK Zivkovic Contract Extension
Greek Super League club PAOK FC has initiated contract extension talks with Serbian international winger Andrija Zivkovic following direct instructions from club owner Ivan Savvidis. The Thessaloniki-based club is determined to secure an agreement before Zivkovic's current deal expires at the end of the season.
PAOK FC is one of the main football clubs in northern Greece. Savvidis, a prominent businessman, acquired ownership of the Thessaloniki club in 2012 and oversees major operational decisions.
An unnamed Greek Super League rival has monitored Zivkovic's situation, but PAOK management refuses to consider potential transfer offers for the winger. Savvidis ordered executive staff to finalize a renewal despite expected difficulties during negotiations over contract terms and player demands.
PAOK officials remain confident that Zivkovic will sign an extension to remain in Thessaloniki, with Savvidis prepared to intervene personally if negotiations stall. The Greek club views the Serbian international as a key player who cannot be lost to a rival.
Greek Refereeing Transparency Issues
The Greek Central Referees Committee faces mounting criticism over officiating standards and a lack of public transparency during early domestic league matches. Committee head Stephane Lannoy has avoided making public statements or explaining controversial refereeing decisions made during recent fixtures in Greece.
The Central Referees Committee operates under the Hellenic Football Federation to oversee match officials across Greek professional football. Lannoy is a former French international referee who officiated major European matches before taking charge of the Greek refereeing body.
The French official's approach contrasts with practices in Italy, where chief referee Daniele Orsato publicly evaluated Serie A match decisions. Orsato addressed early season officiating performance, acknowledged specific referee errors, and detailed operational guidelines for Video Assistant Referee intervention.
Serie A serves as Italy's top professional football league, where Orsato oversees refereeing appointments following his career as an international match official. Video Assistant Referee technology allows match officials to review clear errors during live play.
Greek football authorities suspended regular public reviews of controversial refereeing decisions during the previous season. The policy shift under Lannoy leaves domestic clubs without official explanations regarding key match decisions.
