Scandalous banner at match in Greece: Reaction from Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş Club has issued a statement regarding the events that took place following their 40-point victory over Panionios in Greece.
İHA
The Beşiktaş Men's Basketball Team defeated their Greek hosts, Panionios, by 40 points, winning 114-74 in the 18th and final week of the BKT EuroCup Group B.
The black-and-white team played their highest-scoring game in the BKT EuroCup. By scoring 114 points against Panionios, Beşiktaş broke the club's record for points in this tournament.
The "Black Eagles" had previously set their scoring record last season in the fourth week of the BKT EuroCup Group A, when they defeated Germany's Ratiopharm Ulm 107-74 at home.
"Ugly" banner from Greek fans
During the Panionios-Beşiktaş match, home team fans unfurled an "ugly" banner.
In the match held at the Makis Liougas Sports Hall in the capital, Athens, Greek fans hung a banner in the stands containing profanity and insults directed at Beşiktaş Club and the black-and-white fans.
The statement from Beşiktaş is as follows:
"We condemn and denounce in the strongest possible terms the vile and provocative banner that targeted our club, our fans, the Turkish National Police, and our national and spiritual values during the match our Beşiktaş GAİN Men's Basketball Team played away against the Greek representative Panionios Athens in the BKT EuroCup.
This ugly attack is an overt act of hatred directed not only at Beşiktaş but at the honor, history, and sacred values of the Turkish nation. No sports organization or platform can legitimize hostility, racism, or insults directed at our national values.
We will never accept this immoral and insolent attitude that pollutes the unifying spirit of sports. As Beşiktaş JK, we have resolutely initiated all legal and administrative proceedings before the EuroLeague management to ensure that those responsible for this provocation are punished in the harshest manner and to prevent such disgraceful incidents from happening again."