29.01.2026 18:20
Recently, Panathinaikos, who visited Maccabi Ramat Gan in the EuroLeague, was fined 12,000 euros due to abusive chants directed at head coach Ergin Ataman.
Last week, Panathinaikos, who visited the Israeli team Maccabi Ramat Gan in the EuroLeague, was only fined 12,000 euros despite expectations of severe sanctions such as a stadium closure and deterrent monetary penalties against the home team due to abusive chants directed at head coach Ergin Ataman.
PENALTY FOR MACCABI
In a statement from the EuroLeague organization, it was stated, "Maccabi Ramat Gan has been fined 12,000 euros in accordance with the EuroLeague Basketball Disciplinary Rules due to the abusive chants made by their fans during the match against Panathinaikos."
ABUSIVE CHANTS AGAINST ERGIN ATAMAN
The fans of Maccabi Ramat Gan had made abusive chants against head coach Ergin Ataman before and during the match against Panathinaikos. Nearly 300 Israeli fans gathered at the entrance of the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv before the EuroLeague match, using insulting expressions about Ergin Ataman, who is also the head coach of the Turkish National Men's Basketball Team, and the Greek team. The Israeli fans continued their abusive chants during the match and after the game when Ergin Ataman went to the locker room. Maccabi Ramat Gan won the match played in the 24th week of the EuroLeague 75-71.
GREAT REACTION AT THE END OF THE MATCH
After the match, Ergin Ataman reacted to the abusive chants he was subjected to in a statement. Ataman expressed pride in his team for their performance, stating, "We fought tremendously. We had many chances to win the match. However, that is the basketball side of it. The other side is that we are perhaps competing with the NBA as the EuroLeague, but this is not basketball. We come here to do our job. If 10,000 people are waiting in front of the locker room and cursing at me for 40 minutes, this is not basketball. I have not seen such a thing in the NBA. This is not sport. I am doing my job, but while 10,000-15,000 people are insulting me here, the referees and officials are not doing their jobs. Keep it up." he stated.
A REQUEST FOR A BAN ON ISRAEL
Previously, fan groups in Spain, Italy, and Greece had demanded the exclusion of Israeli basketball teams from the EuroLeague through protests and written statements.