The Greek government has opted to temporarily suspend the national basketball league following a tumultuous match between the legendary clubs, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. This decision comes in the wake of threats and insults from fans and family members of club officials during the second game of the finals. "The third match between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, scheduled for Wednesday at the OAKA stadium, is now canceled," announced government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis to the media.

Marinakis further explained that on Monday, Panathinaikos president Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Olympiacos presidents, brothers Panayotis and Yorgos Angelopoulos, convened with Sports Minister Yannis Vroutsis. The meeting aimed to resolve the escalating situation, with a stern warning that the league might be permanently halted if tensions persist.

The turmoil began when the Panathinaikos president entered the Olympiacos arena prior to the second match of the finals. Local fans unleashed offensive chants targeting both Giannakopoulos and his 18-year-old daughter, as confirmed by videos on the Greek portal Sport24.gr. Giannakopoulos approached the referees, demanding that the insults be officially noted and the Olympiacos fans reprimanded. However, losing his composure, he made obscene gestures towards the crowd, leading to his ejection from the court.

Giannakopoulos spent half an hour clashing with police officers blocking his return to the game area, exclaiming, "Arrest me or let me in," as captured in several Instagram videos he posted. After Olympiacos triumphed 91-83, leveling the playoff series at 1-1, Yorgos Angelopoulos told reporters, "The Panathinaikos president is a disgrace," emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the incident in Greek sports history.

Furthermore, an Olympiacos official accused Giannakopoulos of threatening him on the court, saying, "Tell Yorgos Angelopoulos I will harm his daughter in front of him." Subsequently, while the match continued, Olympiacos filed a legal complaint against the Panathinaikos president. Stadium security footage shows Giannakopoulos fleeing with his security team into a parking garage, evading police attempts to detain him.

According to broadcaster SKAI, a warrant has been issued for Giannakopoulos's arrest, who led Panathinaikos to last year's Euroleague victory. The game itself unfolded under intense pressure, culminating in Panathinaikos coach, Turk Ergin Ataman, being expelled for protesting against the crowd's derogatory remarks about his native country. "They insulted Turkey and Giannakopoulos's family. Those responsible are despicable," Ataman remarked to the Greek press following the game.