Makis Angelopoulos: “I saw the referees with sympathy until last Saturday”

The owner of the CDE, gave a big interview to the students of the IEK He referred to everything about his team, as well as Greek basketball. Makis Angelopoulos left… spikes for referees in the last game of the AEK with Prometheus Patras, but also commented on the efforts for salary cup in the Basket League, as well as the Euroleague. The statements of Makis Angelopoulos “Thank you very much for all being here. The activities that touch show business, as it were, have a speciality. We who are in the area cannot guarantee the customer the result, quality and stability of the product. Unfortunately, in show business there are no such parameters. And sports is worse, because there’s a union and company conflict. The team always prevails in the conflict. I can’t guarantee the outcome. When I took over the team, I promised three things. The first thing I was interested in was talking about the history of AEK, because our team has been missing from the spotlight for many years. We’ve done a lot of action. We organized two BCL Final 4 in our country and took actions for the 1968 film. A date-mark, as then came the first European title in our country. The film received 14 awards, even from Harvard. My second promise was that AEK would have a field. AEK over the last 100 years has played 16 different stadiums. From Galachi to Lamia. It is not possible that AEK does not have its “home”. I mixed the whole world up. I tried to cover the tennis. From day one, I’ve been looking for a solution. Something our other two opponents had to do. And they did after us. We took our field and there was a concession, which is a political medal for us. It has never happened in the country’s historical chronicles, a group to rally all parties to the vote. We’re the team we have a lot of firsts. I remind you again, in 1968 both Final 4. We were the first team to utilize Olympic property and make a film of its history. We also named our stadium first. My third promise was to get some titles, knowing it’s hard, living in unfair competition. They compete with us with the proceeds of a private event that we cannot participate in. Knowing it’s hard, I promised to get some titles. In five finals, we got four titles. Only the AEK made it. The three goals I promised I appreciate being realized, seeing in the future. We’ll complete a plan and eventually leave. The last thing we do is create a new family destination in Attica. Something innovative worldwide! We create theme parks, which will have up to… chocolate factory and sports playgrounds among others. And all this, in a 82-acre space. I’ve been to NBA games and Barcelona, Real etc., but what we’re preparing inside and out, is unique. That’s the end of our investments in terms of the team’s part. These are in a mini-account. Given the circumstances, we achieved maximum. When I started at AEK BC, after six months capital controls started. They were over and then there was financial comfort. Then the lockdown came because of the coronavirus and we spent 2.5 years in meters. On the one hand, unfair competition, on the other hand, was the worst situation for businesses. But despite what we experienced, we succeeded. A lot of money was invested! A total of EUR 50 million have been entered into the AEK. 21-22 million are my own personal money. The rest from sponsors”. For what happened in the game of Patras and why there is this reaction against AEK: “AEK is always the reaction group. And in the first football shack, AEK reacted and ate the penalties. Some other groups adapted. We do not accept these conditions. At some point, we’re asking the league to play evenly on equal terms. Firstly, we ask for a salary cap, as exists in the NBA and the Euroleague. It needs a floor, but it also needs a ceiling to be more interesting and to increase competition. Then there should be a professional arbitration. Is everybody in this room professional and an amateur referee comes to whistle the games? There’s a conflict of interest. AEK’s yelling. We’re not the… good guys. We’re not just adjusting. That’s why there’s this reaction.” For the foreign director, requested by AEK BC, in a model such as football: “Let’s watch football because it’s successful. First of all, because European participation comes out of the league. Something that doesn’t exist in basketball. Olympiacos was in A2 playing in the Euroleague. He’s losing interest in the league. In football in the 1990s, one took the championship and went out Champions League. Now the football didn’t go up when the VAR came in and the foreigners came? Is there no competition? Everyone claims the championship. Football so succeeded”. For the system that is against the AEK: “There is a state-run organization called the EEC, which is only interested in keeping the acquired, a system that feeds on resources of the Greek taxpayer”. On whether the professional arbitration will release the arbitrators: “If referees get more money and there is someone independent who will judge them, then they will be pressured. If they get penalties, press releases, it’ll hurt them financially. Right now, the one who grades and defines the referee is the same. There’s a big conflict of interest. There is no independent body to control the EEC.” On whether the other groups agree with the AEK: “The vast majority agrees with us. The meeting will be held at the ESAKE and the matter of arbitration will be raised. That will show what everyone will vote for…”. About what can be done by the big organizations, in order not to reach the point, in the Greek league, to have no Greek players: “As long as there is no competition, there are no investors in the site. The last one is me. They don’t come to invest, and in these circumstances they better. We have two teams playing the Euroleague. There is no competition and the player production process has stopped. We played with Olympiacos and they had two Greeks. Basketball is in danger of extinction and it is a shame because the Greek has a talent for basketball.” On whether the feeling should be involved: “Unfortunately I don’t produce. When the end of the day comes, you’ll say it’s okay, we’ll make the pass. Only emotion prevails”. Whether the AEK can break the Olympiacos-Panathinaikos dipole: “To do this, competition must be increased. The salary cap will reduce the distance. Everyone will be able to win everyone. All teams take their fields and invest. It is important to offer real home experience, something we offer.” For whether, for the salary cap, there is a response from Olympiacos and Panathinaikos: “All teams have signed. Panathinaikos voted in favour. The Euroleague itself will have a salary cap from 8 to 12.6 million max. We ask that it be applied in Greece as well.” For the AEK world and whether there is the support it would like: “AEK was and remains a football union. I was a football player, too. Basketball was a little out of the way. Even when we played in the Euroleague, we didn’t have much people. AEK is a football-based club. What we’re trying to do is raise this little tank. When I started, we had 280 years, now we have 1,500. Slowly, but every year the tank grows. And we have more duration, but also more tickets.” On whether he is satisfied with the progress of the axes, he put at the September press conference: “The first is the exploitation of the stadium. We’ve got this plan running. In September 2025 you will see something unique worldwide in our stadium. Important is the use of the stadium, which will bring us the extra revenues that do not come from the Euroleague. That way we can double and triple our budget. There’s also the Academy Balloon Field. To say that on our field, we’ve made all the investments ourselves. We haven’t gotten… a euro from any state agencies. All investments have been made by the AEK.” For the learning of young children, who at the age of 12-13 learn… systems in Greece, instead of the basics of basketball: “The developmental part of the EEC has it, so it is a question that you must address to Mr Liolio. We see the other countries (Spain, France, etc.) applying a particular model and children learn the basics of the sport. Regarding us for years now at the AEK Academy, our intention was to learn the basics of the sport and to play right basketball. Kids in Greece and have manager… Something that never existed before. And the parent feels that his son is something between Lebron James and Michael Jordan. Many try to solve the family’s financial problem through their child. This loads with great stress a child who is of tender age.” What is his advice to ensure a successful course: “It is important in life, whatever you do, to have three necessary axes. The plan, the people, the money. Because in a proper plan, with a proper team, the money will bloom and come through an organic development.” Patras was expelled from the team’s best player, coach, close partner, you yourself, and the team’s world. About how this started and what happened inside the floor: “All my friends blame me and tell me” Buddha… You’re not talking. You have a very big rope” and more. I have never given a right in these 10 years. I don’t like power abuse, though. I see a referee who can be cursed by players, coaches, fans. What’s easier to do a nod, go tell him something? Automatically stir up the platform, say “well done, president”. This model, the “mangia”, is not in my character. I’ve always been discreet. Some people make mistakes human, it’s not right to worsen the situation for a man who gets 700 euros. I always saw them with sympathy. I’ve always had this tactic… By… Saturday, of course. In Patras there was a very nice atmosphere. Suddenly there’s a foul on Kuzminskas, which was so strong the blow that we heard it there. And my friend tells referee Christinakis “and blind would give him the foul, because you don’t have to see it, you hear it.” And he showed him his ears. The referee started a dialogue with him and told him first “you will be arrested” and then “you will be expelled”. So he stops the game and tells him to leave. I get up and say to the first referee Tsaruha and I say why would she leave? He didn’t swear. I felt injustice and lies in my skin. “Get everyone off the field” he told me. Let’s go. And that triggered the tension and the slogans started. On the race sheet they wrote that my friend cursed… And some ladies who were next door told us to testify in our favor in the lawsuit we made, because those were lies. He expelled me too because I went to protest and in the end he expelled us all. The tension was created by the referees. Clearly. Last year we were punished for a bottle in Patras. We made five announcements! We did everything! How the fans get on the field. Everything! In Patras they opened the doors and passed everything! Even smokes! To guard the stadium, the responsibility was with Prometheus and the Police. What’s the responsibility of AEK? We’re waiting for the police reports. It’s the police and Prometheus. As far as the incidents are concerned, there was an incorrect operational planning by the police. In 15 minutes, the evacuation took place instead of 30. In Patra the police went over and pushed down. It was the wrong design, and we’ll show it up when the CID calls. We were challenged on all fronts.” How he took over AEK basketball and if he ever regretted it: “Then I was in football. He took over under conscription and alarm conditions. They came from Amateur and told me that by December the team was demoted. I said thank you very much. I don’t care. After a week they came back. Until I was told that if we fall again, we go third ESKA. I saw what was needed, I had a million to save the team, but on entering I met a world I didn’t know. Very remarkable world and unfair communication by journalists. Athletes know two or three languages. If you’re not smart, you can’t play basketball. You’ll be expelled by the system. It’s the nature of the sport, which needs a high indicator of intelligence. There’s a level in basketball. As to when to leave? The investments will be completed, since I want the AEK at the “top 10” of the clubs in Europe. It makes sense to think about the entrance, but also the exit always. In one to three years organized, I can give the world shares. I’ll think of a corporate structure that will ensure the future of AEK before I leave. I have thought of an innovation and AEK will be concrete for the next 100 years.” What is his opinion about the owners of Olympiacos-Panathinaikos: “Our relations are good. Olympiacos and Panathinaikos participate in the Euroleague. We have a different agenda. On a personal level, we have no problem. They separate us from economic issues and disagreements. But they too are emotionally involved with their teams. I like the factor that is a fan of his team. Whether he is “Olympic”, or “Panathinaikos”, I understand him. Because he carries the same madness I do… I don’t like the factors that go from team to team.” About who his favorite stranger has been all these years and why: “It is unfair to limit my sympathy to a player. Kuzminskas is a personality and is closer to what I want to an athlete. She’s an important figure. Of the players in the past, Carl Eagles was a personality you could discuss. He had a structured view on many issues. Racing, the one who made a short difference, was Kevin Pander. We have brought very good players, but we couldn’t keep them, because we are not playing with Real and Barcelona in Europe. Anyone who could handle the AEK’s demands was able to make a career in the future. Anyone who stands on the AEK jersey can play at the highest level. AEK is a good and difficult school”. On whether he was thinking of getting involved with FC after the flight Melisanidis and whether he knows the new owner of FC, Mario Iliopoulos: “I have spent many years in football. President, Vice-President and shareholder. I find the environment difficult. And to tell you the truth, it doesn’t suit me. I don’t know him. He is a fan of the team and has invested too many millions. He carries the good… madness we’re talking about the team. Best for AEK”. For the financial situation of the AEK: “AEC has a budget of 5-5.5 million. There were years when we had 7.5 million. It needs a funding of 2.5 million each year. AEK needs someone to fund the team every month. But it’s a one-way street if you want to have a competitive team. Every year we increase revenue, keeping everything we put steady. We will continue to invest and the next owner will clearly receive a profitable company.” For SUNEL Arena in Liosia and whether it is far from the core of AEK fans: “AEK is not a district union. The district unions have the core of their fans around the field. No matter where the AEK plays, there will be people. 40% of our fans are in the western suburbs. To the west is our headquarters and we are downtown. Looking at numbers in relation to OAKA, tickets and seasons are better.” About whether we expect other changes within the stadium: “There have been many changes that are not seen. Like the basements, the generators, the burners and all the basics. These are not seen and completed. Now we’re in what it looks like. The stadium will turn black and soon we’ll have the Cube on the roof. It’ll be 6X6. Pretty big. We will change things in audiovisual, but big investments will be made around the field.” On whether AEK was playing in some way in the Euroleague, it could cope with the budget: “The answer is very easy… We would automatically have 15-16m euros more revenue. We would be at the level of others and follow financially.”