Controversy of protocol erupts as Efes ties series against Galatasaray / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images Credit Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images

The BSL playoff semi-final series between Galatasaray NEF and Anadolu Efes are tied 1-1 after last night when Efes responded to their 35-point defeat in the first game.

2-pointers this season

47%16,1Points made:16,1Accuracy:47,2%Place in standings:30Record max:21Record min:12Most made 2FGs:DeVaughn Akoon-PurcellTeamBCLStatisticsSchedule

However, the controversial events that unfolded off the court became a bigger topic, especially among the Galatasaray fans.

According to Galatasaray president Burak Elmas, the officials of Anadolu Efes were not very friendly when he came to the court to watch the second game from the side of the court with his children.

In his account, this was a disrespectful act.

"A bad way to make some small error grow into a big thing is to be persistent," Elmas claimed. "I warned the Efes officials in the right way that Galatasaray culture lets me do so. But they could not find any place for my children, they made us wait and sent us to a lodge in a ridiculous place."

Allegedly, the incident had some strange turn of events. It was suggested that Burak Elmas came to the court with his children, but the officials did not allow them to watch the game altogether. They were shown separate places due to a lack of space in the VIP seats.

However, the visual observation of the court yesterday showed that there were a lot of places available in Sinan Erdem Arena. In fact, the overall crowd was somewhat lesser in terms of the earlier days of Anadolu Efes season in the Euroleague evenings.

On the other hand, Anadolu Efes reportedly claims that four places were allocated for the president and his family.

In Burak Elmas' account, a lodge was allocated to the president after the situation regarding the VIP seats on the courtside. But Elmas defined this new place as "ridiculous" and subsequently left the court.

Another report claimed that Galatasaray's vice-president Polat Bengiserp wanted to watch the game from the VIP seats on the side with his wife, but he was not allowed.

Meanwhile, some Galatasaray fans claim that they were forced to leave the stands after showing some emotion towards their own team, like clapping.

There is also a rule which does not allow away fans to watch the game with a ticket. (tickets are not sold for away fans) However, the home team must allocate a minimum of 20 invitations to the away team fans; but the number can be higher if both clubs agree.

In the first game, Burak Elmas (on the courtside) and a small portion of Galatasaray (away) fans managed to watch the big away win.

The suggested incidents are strange because Anadolu Efes and Galatasaray did not seem to have a particular problem between clubs' administrations.

On the contrary, both clubs are usually on good terms, and the fans look to each other with sympathy. Anadolu Efes head coach Ergin Ataman did not only lead Galatasaray to titles in the Turkish league and the EuroCup, but he is also a member of the club.

In his statement, Burak Elmas vowed about the 3rd game of the series, which will be a home game for Galatasaray: "On Tuesday, he will show the same 'hospitality' to the Efes club."

The 3rd and 4th games will be crucial as Galatasaray NEF will look to consolidate the home-court advantage they took from EuroLeague title holders Anadolu Efes in the first encounter.

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