Greek football-player has been handed a suspended two-and-a-half year jail sentence

Defender of the Greek national football team Abraham Papadopoulus was sentenced to 2.5 years’ imprisonment by decision of the Greek court.

The 33-year-old player was one of 58 people who were ordered by the Athens Court of Appeal in connection with the scandal over the contractual match that took place in 2011.

Papadopoulos spent seven seasons with Greek Super League club Olympiakos, at times serving as captain, and signed an A-League deal last year with the Roar. The Roar were aware of his implication in the scandal when they recruited him, but coach John Aloisi said it was “not a concern” after conducting his own inquiries into Papadopoulos’ character.

A Roar spokesperson said: “Brisbane Roar Football Club were aware of an investigation into betting on football matches in Greece between 2009 and 2010 involving Avraam Papadopoulos when he signed for Brisbane in February, 2017.”