By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens coach Ergin Ataman said that a member of the Maccabi Tel Aviv staff threatened him on the way to the locker rooms following Game 2 of the EuroLeague playoffs between the two sides.
“It’s very strange for me that a great organization [EuroLeague Basketball] that I always protect made a statement about me that I damage the EuroLeague image. Very strange,” Ataman mentioned during the post-game presser following the win of his team.
“If I do something wrong, like when I talk about the referees, there’s a penalty in the rule book. Why do you provoke some people against me? Now what happened? When I was going to the locker room, somebody from the Maccabi staff – I don’t know who, he was without accreditation – told me ‘You’ll see in Israel, you’ll see what the Zionists will do to you.”
Ataman changed the tone in his voice and then continued. “Hey come on, I’m Ergin Ataman. I’m the coach of Panathinaikos. I’m the coach of the Turkish national team. I’m a Turkish citizen. You can’t do nothing.”
The statement Ataman refers to was made by EuroLeague Basketball a few hours before Game 2. The organization opened disciplinary proceedings against him and Panathinaikos following an announcement made by the Greek side after Game 1, in which the club implied that political reasons were behind several calls against them in the match.
Ataman, who openly criticized the officiating, is mentioned as making “statements that are purposefully misleading and incorrect giving inaccurate analysis of the game and of a carefully selected number of plays; attempting to question the work and the integrity of the officials; and putting additional pressure on them and on the league organization – attempts that obviously will not reach their objectives.”
Once again during the Game 2 press conference, Ataman addressed the EuroLeague asking them for the reason they specifically commented on him.
“Please – EuroLeague. If you punish me, OK. But why make a statement against me? The club made a statement about EuroLeague so they can make a statement against the club,” Ataman added.
“I wasn’t critical about the EuroLeague organization. I was critical about calls. I’m not a casual person. I won two EuroLeague championships. I’m back-to-back EuroLeague champion. I’ve coached more than 300 EuroLeague games. I’m not stupid. I just share my opinion with Greek journalists because people want to know why I’m furious with some calls.”