By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
As expected, the Greek League Finals series between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos didn’t enter a peaceful stage once it was decided to come back on the court for Game 3.
In fact, the win by Olympiacos was spiced by tension and violent acts on and off the court. After the game, the red-and-white team’s General Manager Nikos Lepeniotis described OAKA as a “jungle”, with acts towards Olympiacos that they “haven’t seen in years.”
Less than 24 hours after the end of Game 3, Ergin Ataman released a statement on his official Instagram profile, answering back at the accusations of Nikos Lepeniotis, who “directly targeted me and incited the Olympiacos B.C. fans against me,” he first commented.
“Five days ago, in your venue, there were organized and directed racist chants at my country throughout the match, and yet, not even a single apology has been issued. Just one day before yesterday’s game, I was interrogated, accused, and punished in a way I had never experienced in my 30-year career, through a sports tribunal you had set up inside the federation headquarters,” Ataman continued.
“Moreover, I faced these accusations based solely on the claims of three Olympiacos B.C. lawyers. I did not back down then, and I never will. I spoke out against the disrespect shown to both my country and my club in a post-match interview. If faced with a similar situation again, I would not hesitate to respond the same way,” Panathinaikos‘ head coach also said.
“Despite being subjected to an unprecedented and audacious move in sports history, I chose to attend out of respect for the Greek authorities. Matches can be won or lost, but the disgraceful behavior of you, your fans, and some of your players, completely devoid of sporting ethics, has become a black stain in the history of European sports,” Ataman added, too.
“Lastly, in your statement, you said: “We made it out of the jungle alive.” Let me be absolutely clear: no one, and I repeat, no one, can refer to OAKA, one of the most modern basketball arenas in Europe, as “jungle” and 20,000 Panathinaikos fans who came to support their team and whom I am proud of as “animals.”
“I will not warn you again on this matter. Don’t look for the reasons behind your guilt elsewhere; look instead at your own actions that have no place in sport,” the Turkish head coach finished. Game 4 is set to be played on Sunday at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, with Olympiacos up 2-1.
PHOTO CREDIT: Eurokinissi