24.05.2024 12:42
A heated argument with profanity occurred between Fenerbahçe fans and Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman prior to the THY EuroLeague Final Four tournament match to be played in Berlin. As the Greek team was entering the hotel, Fenerbahçe fans in front of the hotel chanted "Do doping, do doping, Ergin Ataman, do doping." In response, Ataman exchanged insults, escalating the tension. Ataman also stated that he was assaulted by the German police after the incident.
There was a heated argument with profanity between Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman and Fenerbahçe fans in Berlin. Fenerbahçe and Panathinaikos teams arrived in the German capital Berlin before the THY EuroLeague Final Four tournament match to be played on Friday. Tension arose between the Panathinaikos delegation entering the hotel and Fenerbahçe fans. Fenerbahçe fans chanted "Doping, do doping, Ergin Ataman, do doping" as Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman entered the hotel, to which Ataman reacted. Ataman responded to the Fenerbahçe fans who approached him by saying "Has.... lan" and "S.... lan". When he saw the approaching fans, Ataman asked "Where is the security?" and confronted the hotel staff. Ataman stated that he was also assaulted by the police after the tense situation. Ataman said in a statement to AA correspondent, "I was first attacked by Fenerbahçe fans when we entered the hotel where we would stay. Then, while I was getting on the elevator with my family, the police who were supposed to protect us pushed me and I fell to the ground. He assaulted me. There are images and witnesses of this incident. We informed our Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Berlin Embassy. They are taking care of it. We are currently waiting in the lobby. They are not allowing us to go to our room." Meanwhile, in the Final Four to be held in Berlin between May 24-26, Fenerbahçe Beko's opponents will be Real Madrid from Spain, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos from Greece. Fenerbahçe Beko will play their first match in the tournament against Panathinaikos, coached by Ergin Ataman, on May 24th, Friday at 19:00 CET.