By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
Forecast shortly after the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 6 loss to Partizan Mozzart Bet and from team owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos further in the aftermath of the game, Panathinaikos sent a letter to Euroleague Basketball.
The established complaints for the performance of referees Miguel Angel Perez, Fernando Rocha, and Saulius Racys became official, the team confirmed Friday afternoon. The Greek club attached footage and made its intentions clear in refusing to tolerate further refereeing unfairness against the team.
In addition, the Greens proposed modifications in coach challenges regulations in hope of reducing mistakes made by referees.
Dejan Bodiroga, recently named president and director of Euroleague Basketball, is expected in Athens within the next few days. Looking to make the most of the visit, Panathinaikos officials are determined to address all issues in person.
Beyond the protests against the referees, Panathinaikos located the supporter sparking events leading to items being thrown on the court of OAKA Altion and forcing the referees to interrupt the game versus Partizan for a couple of minutes, late in the fourth quarter. The person was banned from future home games of the team.
Forced down to 1-5, the Greens are currently tied with FC Bayern Munich at the bottom of the standings. Coming up next on the 2022-23 EuroLeague schedule is a second straight game at home with Cazoo Baskonia visiting next Friday. At the domestic level, the team coached by Dejan Radonjic earned the win in three of the first four outings in Greece’s Basket League.