Panathinaikos fans' racist banner angers Ataman: 'Eject me from the game'

Panathinaikos, led by Ergin Ataman who reached the EuroLeague championship last season, faced Maccabi in a preseason game as part of their preparations for the new season. Maccabi won the match 88-75, but an incident during the contest drew attention and caused Ergin Ataman to become enraged.

Greek fans drew criticism by unfurling a banner that read "Bloody Cyprus Occupation by Turks" during the match against the Israeli team. This provocative banner was widely criticized in Turkey and sparked a major backlash.

Meanwhile, Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman was ejected from the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv just as the final period was beginning.

HE HAD HIMSELF EJECTED

At the start of the fourth quarter, when the scandalous banner was displayed, Ataman began arguing with the referee to protest a foul called against Cedi Osman. Reports in the Greek press stated that tensions rose after the referees called a foul on Cedi Osman, and Ataman continued his protests vehemently.

Ergin Ataman, who protested intensely by gesturing to the referee to "eject me from the game" and received two technical fouls, was disqualified from the court. Unable to control his anger, Ataman headed to the locker room before the situation could escalate further.

The Greek press claimed that Ataman was ejected after getting angry at a foul called on Cedi Osman. However, the report emphasized that the banner was unfurled at the same time and that Ataman wanted to get himself ejected because he was angered by this situation. In the footage, it can be seen that Ataman clearly expressed to the referees that he wanted to be ejected from the game.

STATEMENT FROM ATAMAN

Making a statement on the matter, Ergin Ataman, head coach of the Turkish National Basketball Team and the Greek team Panathinaikos, said, "A political banner was opened that I did not find appropriate for the hospitality we have received. I showed my reaction in the strongest way possible."