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EuroLeague Basketball has handed Israeli club Maccabi Rapyd a fine of €12,000 (over $14,000), following abusive and insulting chants directed at Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman during a recent EuroLeague game in Tel Aviv.
The decision has drawn attention because tougher sanctions, such as playing behind closed doors or heavier financial penalties, had been widely expected after the incident.
According to an official EuroLeague statement, the fine was imposed under the league’s Disciplinary Regulations due to insulting chants by home fans during the game against Panathinaikos.
For international readers, EuroLeague is the top-tier professional basketball competition in Europe, comparable in prestige to continental championships in other major sports.
The match took place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, where Maccabi Rapyd defeated Panathinaikos 75–71 in a closely contested Week 24 fixture.
However, the result was overshadowed by the hostile environment directed at Ataman, who is also the head coach of the Türkiye national men’s basketball team.
Reports from the venue indicated that nearly 300 local supporters gathered at the arena entrance before the game, chanting insults aimed at Ataman and the Greek club.
The situation did not ease once the game tipped off, as abusive chants reportedly continued throughout the match and even after the final whistle while Ataman was heading toward the locker room.
The prolonged nature of the chants, including those outside the playing area, raised concerns about crowd control and security responsibilities at EuroLeague events, especially for visiting teams and staff.
After the game, Ataman spoke out about what he experienced, stressing that the issue went beyond basketball.
He said he was proud of his team’s effort on the court, noting that Panathinaikos had several chances to win, but underlined that the atmosphere created by the crowd was unacceptable in a professional sports setting.
In a notable statement, Ataman said that while EuroLeague aims to compete with the NBA in terms of quality and reputation, allowing thousands of fans to insult a coach for an extended period without intervention was not something he had ever witnessed in the NBA.
He added that officials and arena staff appeared not to step in while the abuse continued.
The incident has also revived earlier protests by fan groups in Spain, Italy, and Greece, who have previously called for Israeli basketball clubs to be suspended from EuroLeague competitions.
These demands were made through demonstrations and written statements, citing broader concerns about safety and conduct, although the league has so far maintained its current disciplinary approach.
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