By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Azerbaijani club Gence has issued a formal statement strongly refuting the claims made by their head coach, Martin Knezevic. The head coach previously spoke out following a heavy defeat against Esenler Erokspor in the opening week of the 2026–27 FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season.
On Wednesday, Knezevic criticized the league and the host team in a since-deleted Facebook post. He alleged that five players were injured when a hotel elevator dropped three floors, and blamed Erokspor for booking a cheap hotel. He also accused the league of ignoring a request to postpone the game, which forced his roster to play short-handed.
On Saturday, management completely distanced the club from these remarks. The front office labeled the statements false and unauthorized. The team clarified that a technical issue did occur with the lift, but hotel staff fixed it immediately. No players were hurt. In fact, four of those five players were actually involved in the game, with the fifth staying on the bench by the coach’s own choice. Furthermore, the board denied they requested a postponement, noting that Gence, not Erokspor, selected and paid for the accommodation.
The club accused Knezevic of inventing excuses to hide from the loss. The executive board called his behavior a breach of professional values and internal discipline.
Management also confirmed a strict warning to the coach. They cited emotions and cultural differences as reasons to avoid immediate firing. However, the organization made its position clear. Any repeat of this behavior will result in the instant termination of his contract.
Make