By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball announced the latest disciplinary sanctions on Tuesday, punishing Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv for offensive chants against Valencia and head coach Pedro Martinez.
Per the press release: “Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decision pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 17 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has been sanctioned with a fine of €10,000, for offensive chants directed against Valencia Basket and its Head Coach, Pedro Martinez, on occasion of the game Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Valencia Basket, under Article 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.”
Following Round 17 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season and the game in Jerusalem’s Pais Arena, 64-year-old Martinez had reacted to the chants.
“It’s not my business. Everybody has to know the example they give as a person, as a club, as a supporter. For me, it’s not a problem, maybe it’s their problem,” noted the experienced play-caller.
Valencia coach Pedro Martinez on the reactions of the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans against him:
“Everybody has to know the example they give, as persons, as club, as supporters
It’s not a problem for me. Maybe it’s their problem” pic.twitter.com/7L8nWzakQR
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 18, 2025
In addition, the club issued an official statement.
“Valencia Basket, which has been in communication with Euroleague throughout the game, will file a formal complaint tomorrow, providing photographic evidence, regarding the uncivil behavior of Maccabi fans.
Attitudes like today’s, with racist insults and repeated verbal abuse directed at the club and our coach, Pedro Martínez, and even preventing him from giving a post-game press conference on television, damage not only the competition but our sport in general, and are completely unacceptable in a basketball arena.”
Resuming the continental campaign in Round 19, Valencia hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet in Roig Arena, aiming to improve the W-L tally to 13-6 on Tuesday evening, and Maccabi visits FC Bayern Munich in SAP Garden, seeking a jump to 9-10 on Friday.