Turkish coach verbally abused during basketball match in 'Israel'
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Turkish coach of Panathinaikos verbally abused by 'Israeli' fans during EuroLeague game.
- Incident highlights ongoing tension over 'Israeli' basketball teams amid Gaza war.
Turkish coach Ergin Ataman of Greek club Panathinaikos faced verbal abuse from 'Israeli' club Maccabi Rappid supporters during a EuroLeague matchup.
Around 300 'Israeli' fans reportedly shouted insults as Ataman entered the arena. The abuse continued throughout the match and even after it ended while he headed to the locker room.
Maccabi Rappid won the game 75-71.
Ataman reacts
Speaking to reporters after the match, Ataman said, “When 10,000 people stand outside the locker room and shout insults for 40 minutes, this is not basketball.” He added, “I have never seen anything like this in the US basketball league. This is not sport. I do my job, but referees and officials do nothing when 10–15 thousand people insult me.”
Read more: 'Israeli' attacks kill 12 Gazans in 24 hours despite ceasefire
Broader context
Fan groups in Spain, Italy, and Greece have previously called for 'Israeli' basketball teams to be excluded from the EuroLeague due to 'Israeli' actions in Gaza.
