By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens coach Ergin Ataman was fined 10,000 euros for actions and statements that constitute “defamation of the sport,” the Greek League Sports Judge announced.
Ataman was sanctioned due to what he said following the loss of Panathinaikos to Olympiacos Piraeus in Game 1 of the Greek League Finals. After the game, in which he was ejected, the Turkish coach was saying: “I now understand why, in football, there are not Greek referees in the main game. I understand very well. Please go talk with Giannakopoulos and call foreign referees to make it right. If not, everything is fixed now. Everything is fixed,” to Panathinaikos Sports and Communications Director Dimitris Kontos, who was seen nodding his head. The latter was acquited.
Ergin Ataman after Game 1 of the Greek Finals: “Now I understand why Greek referees are not calling big football games in Greece” pic.twitter.com/zSlIUKp7di
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Panathinaikos was sanctioned with a total fine of 16,400 euros for warnings received during the game, insulting chants and Ataman’s post-game actions.
Game 2 between the two sides takes place at Olympiacos Friday (7/6).