Newsletters
Panathinaikos AKTOR head coach Ergin Ataman delivered a fiery response following his team's 91-83 away defeat to Olympiakos in Game 2 of the Greek League playoff finals. The Turkish coach condemned Olympiakos fans for chanting offensive slogans targeting Türkiye, calling the incident "a disgrace to sport." Olympiakos owner Panagiotis Angelopoulos escalated tensions further by calling for Ataman’s arrest.
The game, held at Olympiakos’s Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, was marred by tension and unruly fan behavior both before and during the match.
"This is not sport. This is a circus," Ataman told reporters post-game. "No one can insult my country here. They can shout against me or against Panathinaikos, but not against Türkiye. That’s why I received a second technical foul."
Ataman did not hold back in his criticism of the match officials and the general atmosphere of the game. "Olympiakos played very aggressively. They were awarded 33 free throws while we had only 17. This is not normal," he said, implying an imbalance in officiating.
He added that the toxic environment created by the home fans went beyond passionate support and entered dangerous territory.
Adding to the chaotic scene, Panathinaikos President Dimitris Giannakopoulos and his family were escorted out of the arena prior to the match due to security concerns. The incident raised further questions about fan safety and the adequacy of security measures during high-stakes games in the Greek basketball league.
With the series now tied 1-1, all eyes turn to Game 3, scheduled for Wednesday, at the OAKA Arena in Athens. Ataman assured fans that Panathinaikos would respond on the court, not in the stands.
“We will play basketball. OAKA is not a circus. Everyone there respects the game. We’ll play aggressively and we’ll win. That’s it,” Ataman declared.
Greek basketball authorities have yet to make an official statement on the chanting incident or the removal of the Panathinaikos president from the venue.
In a dramatic escalation, Olympiakos owner Panagiotis Angelopoulos called for Ergin Ataman’s arrest, accusing him of insulting Olympiakos supporters.
“Ergin Ataman insulted Olympiakos fans. No one can insult Olympiakos supporters. Ataman must be arrested—he is working in a foreign country,” Angelopoulos said. “The club is fueling violence. I don’t know how this final series will end. What Ataman and Giannakopoulos are doing is unacceptable.”
1 min read
