By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
During a heavy loss against Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, Anadolu Efes‘ head coach Ergin Ataman was ejected after receiving a second technical foul for protesting.
Ataman criticized Crvena Zvezda fans for insulting him, and the Belgrade club reacted quickly. Now, The EuroLeague Head Coaches Board responded.
The coaches union released a statement, condemning the insults directed at Ataman and every other person involved in a game, including players, referees and even the EuroLeague organization.
“EuroLeague Head Coaches Board understands that fans all over the continent make our sport unique. However, all the basketball stakeholders, including fans, must also understand that in this day and age, respect towards everyone involved in the game is more than pivotal.
Insulting slurs of any kind don’t belong in sports. What happened in Belgrade against our member Ergin Ataman and with other members in other arenas should be unacceptable by any standard. It’s the same and also not acceptable to hear slurs against the referees in Kaunas or against the Euroleague league management across multiple arenas.
This is a firm position that reflects the stance of all members and extends to everyone who is part of the game, including players, referees, and even the league itself. We are fully aware of the mentality and the sports culture that for decades deemed that kind of fan behavior acceptable and we strongly feel that it’s time for a change“.