By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens filed a complaint to EuroLeague Basketball over the presence of Northern Cyprus flags before and during the game at Fenerbahce Beko’s Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, Friday (25/10).
The Northern Cyprus flags were displayed in the arena, next to several flags of Turkey. One was seen behind the bench of Panathinaikos, close to the officials’ table.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a de facto state that is recognized only by Turkey. It was established in 1975 as the Turkish Federation State of Cyprus following the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by Turkey and was renamed to TRNC in 1983. The whole affair has been a matter of dispute between Greece and Turkey for decades.
Per Panathinaikos sources, club officials made the moves they considered to be necessary by filing the complaint to the EuroLeague and also informing the Greek authorities.