By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos wages an open war against Euroleague and Jordi Bertomeu explained his position, talking to journalists covering the Final Four: “We have shown great respect to Giannakopoulos family. They have a great contribution, but now the new generation is taking over (ed.note: Dimitris Giannakopoulos). Since last season we have voted very strict bylaws after everything that happened in Istanbul. This year we had problems only with Panathinaikos and we applied those rules. Security is our priority and we will not take any risk about it. We will postponed games the next time that we will see images like those in the last home game in OAKA. Besides that, one owner broke the rules of social behavior inside the Euroleague. We work all together and we don’t speak only about rules, but also about behavior. They should think if they want to stay in the competition or not. I don’t have to prove anything. Everyone knows who I am and it’s very difficult for me to understand why the product is not protected by them”. He revealed that from next year Euroleague will have the right to postpone a game, even 5-10 minutes before the jump ball if they have evidences that there is overcapacity or if the teams cannot secure the safety of the fans.
Bertomeu, however, explained that Panathinaikos will probably not be expelled by the league: “We are not thinking about that, but Panathinaikos has to understand that the club is a member, has the right for criticism, however it also has to respect the rules. And how much ridiculous were all the conspiracy theories for the team which is the best one in Euroleague’s era? Giannakopoulos’ family runs Panathinaikos for 25 years. Pavlos and Thanasis deserve all the respect and everybody knows how important Panathinaikos’ is for Euroleague. On the 29th of April, at our executive Board it was the first time we talked mostly about one thing. And they all decided they will be tough against this behavior. No one from the clubs understands why Panathinaikos is doing. They are not prepared to accept this behavior.I believe that Panathinaikos will soon understand the mistake and will change its tactics”. Bertomeu said that Dimitris Giannakopoulos has called him in order to arrange a meeting, but this is not fixed yet.
As for the refereeing of this season, he said: “We are pleased by the referees with the exception of one game, that doesn’t involve a Greek team”. He spoke about the game of Caja Laboral vs CSKA Moscow
At this point it’s not a secret that the idea of organizing a Final Four in London has its problems and many unsold tickets, so Bertomeu admitted: “We have an option and many things to consider till we decide what will happen. There is a small issue: O2 Arena is the busiest Arena in Europe and if we hold here the next Final Four, the games will be played on 30/5-1/6 and there will be a problem with national leagues’ playoffs. But keep in mind that today in Italy they have playoffs, so there will be a problem with everything we will decide. For example, if we start earlier the season, then the national players won’t be able to play with their clubs and you (ed.note: the press) will kill me. This year’s Final Four is just one step in our wish, our strategy, our dream to have UK’s presence in Euroleague. We have a long way, it will be an at least 4 year plan for us to get a UK’s team. The days we are here, he are talking with potential sponsors and we are having meetings on how we will establish a team here”. Euroleague is also in the middle of discussions for which citys will host the four next Final Fours.
And some final notes
- The clubs didn’t approve on changing the rules for players’ transfer during the season
- The new Top16 was a success and Euroleague is going to evaluate everything after 2 years.
- About Barcelona’s and Siena’s problems with the unfit arenas (for Eurolegue’s standars), Siena will try Firenze for two years, to see if this is the solution (after they don’t have the funds to build a new arena) and Barcelona has to present the project they have for their new multisport stadium (indoor football, basketball, handball etc) at the end of June.