Newsletters
Following Panathinaikos AKTOR’s 3-1 loss to Olympiacos in the Greek league playoff finals, head coach Ergin Ataman voiced sharp criticism of the rival fans and their use of Greek flags during the game.
“I love Greece,” Ataman said in his post-game remarks. “But today I saw a lot of Greek flags in the arena. Olympiacos fans came with Greek flags, and I have to ask: how many actual Greek players are on their team?”
The Turkish coach went on to question the intent behind the display, suggesting that the flags were deliberately used as a personal message. “They only have one real Greek player. The rest are ‘fake Greeks’—Walkup, Dorsey, Vezenkov, Mitrou-Long... Meanwhile, our squad is filled with Greek talent: Sloukas, Mitoglou, Papapetrou, Kalaitzakis, Samadurov. And yet, just because I’m from Türkiye, they come to the game waving Greek flags,” he stated.
Ataman expressed that he took the gesture personally, interpreting it as a nationalistic act targeted against him rather than a show of team spirit.
He also commented on Olympiacos player Evan Fournier, who was penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior following a formal complaint. Ataman used the opportunity to praise Panathinaikos fans: “I’m proud of our supporters. They didn’t storm the court, and they respected the game. In many other countries, such provocations would’ve led to chaos. People would’ve rushed the arena.”
1 min read
