By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague Head Coaches Board (EHCB) has responded to the incident involving the head coaches of Besiktas and Turk Telekom, Dušan Alimpijević and Erdem Can, which occurred during their Turkish league (BSL) matchup.
EHCB released the following statement clarifying that there was a “positive outcome” after internal action of the Board and the whole incident is a thing of the past
“The EuroLeague Head Coaches Board is proud to announce the positive outcome of the internal talks after the incidents happened in the BSL game between Besiktas and Turk Telekom involving two of our prominent members. As coaches, we need to set an example and a high standard for everyone involved in the game. As EHCB, we pledge to continue working with our members to turn the page and make this behavior a thing of the past.
The EHCB acted internally and will continue to act properly to protect our organization and our members and prevent similar incidents in the future by taking the necessary measures”.
Dusan Alimpijevic and Erdem Can had a dispute during the first play of last week’s game. Following this, Erdem Can was ejected from the game and made the following statement to Turkish news site Basketball:
“Dusan Alimpijevic insulted my mother in Serbian. There are three referees on the court; they must have heard what I heard. I explained the situation to the head referee, Yener Yılmaz. When the referees didn’t take any action, I responded. They ejected me, while the one who started the incident stayed on the court. This is how much Turkish coaches are valued in this country.”
At the end of the game, Dusan Alimpijevic said: “As long as I am the head coach of Beşiktaş Fibabanka, no one can tell me how to play basketball. No one can approach me and try to explain how I should play or defend. No one can treat me like that, especially in my own home. Losing is not a problem. Winning is nice for us, of course. However, no one can teach me how to coach basketball.”
Besiktas reaction and Can’s new statement
Beşiktaş released an official statement after the game:
“Our Beşiktaş Fibabanka Men’s Basketball Team defeated Türk Telekom 96-88 in the 15th week of the Türkiye Sigorta Basketball Super League. In this match, Türk Telekom’s head coach Erdem Can was disqualified in the very first minute. Following his disqualification and without even waiting for the game to end, he made false accusations against our head coach, Dusan Alimpijevic, on a website. Therefore, we feel compelled to issue this statement.
First and foremost, we strongly condemn Türk Telekom head coach Erdem Can, who exhibited behavior unbecoming of a Turkish sports figure. He insulted our head coach, Dusan Alimpijevic, in front of referees on the court, our fans in the stands, and thousands of basketball enthusiasts watching the game on their screens.
The referees took the necessary action and properly disqualified Erdem Can, who committed this unacceptable act on the court.
Instead of realizing his mistake and apologizing to our head coach, Dusan Alimpijevic, and all basketball fans, Türk Telekom head coach Erdem Can attempted to downplay his misconduct by making false accusations against Alimpijevic on a website before the game even ended.
Additionally, the Türk Telekom technical and administrative team forgot that sports are about peace and brotherhood. After the game, they did not even show the courtesy of shaking hands with our players and technical staff.
We once again condemn Türk Telekom head coach Erdem Can for insulting our head coach, Dusan Alimpijevic, and believe that the Turkish Basketball Federation will apply the necessary disciplinary sanctions against him.”
One day after the game Erdem Can released the following statement:
“I feel compelled to issue this statement regarding efforts to portray me as the guilty party in a situation where both my team and I were the victims.
The opposing coach intentionally adopted a provocative and injurious approach as part of his game strategy from the very first seconds of the match. This caused tension among the players right from the beginning, and I went to the scorer’s table to call a timeout to calm the situation. Everyone present saw this! During this time, I said to the opposing coach, ‘Why are you doing this? It’s unnecessary; let’s just play basketball.’ In response, he insulted my family and values in his own language. I then returned the same words to him in his language.
After this, I expressed my frustration to the referees, who were as close to the incident as I was, and asked how they could allow such behavior.
I believe all of this is on the game recordings. The head referee inexplicably ejected me directly from the game. If there is someone who independently recorded those moments, I would kindly request them to share the video.
Those who know me in the basketball community over the years can attest to my character.
But honestly, these are all just details…
I would never tell another coach how to defend, of course. However, there are unwritten ethical values in the spirit of this game and sport. Building a game plan based on injuring and provoking opposing players does not align with the values I uphold.
Unfortunately, as a Turkish coach, I find myself once again in a position where I am thrown into a conflict in my own country and forced to defend myself. Believe me, we dedicate years of our lives to contribute to basketball, to our country, to sports, and to humanity.
As this situation has shown, standing up for what is right is never easy. I am writing this statement on behalf of all other Turkish coaches who have experienced similar situations countless times.”