President Erdoğan calls Ergin Ataman

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone with Ergin Ataman, head coach of the Turkish National Basketball Team and Panathinaikos AKTOR.

President Erdoğan conveyed his "get well soon" wishes and message of support to head coach Ataman, who was threatened by an official from the Israeli team following the Panathinaikos AKTOR-Maccabi Playtika match in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoff quarterfinals.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoff quarterfinals, Greek team Panathinaikos AKTOR defeated the Israeli side Maccabi Playtika 95-79. Turkish head coach Ergin Ataman was subjected to threatening remarks from a member of the opposing team's technical staff, leading to tension on the court and in the locker room corridors at OAKA Altion after the match.

During the post-match press conference, Ataman stated, "Someone from Maccabi's technical staff said, 'We will see you in Israel. You will see what the Zionists will do to you.' I am Ergin Ataman. I am the coach of Panathinaikos. I am the coach of the Turkish National Team. I am a Turkish citizen. You cannot do anything to me."