EuroLeague Head Coaches Board reacts to Ataman and Zvezda fans controversy / News - Basketnews.com

EuroLeague Head Coaches Board defended Ergin Ataman and condemned the offensive chants by Crvena Zvezda fans: "Respect towards everyone involved in the game is more than pivotal."

Credit: REUTERS-Scanpix Credit REUTERS-Scanpix

EuroLeague Head Coaches Board (EHCB) released an official statement regarding the Crvena Zvezda-Anadolu Efes game in Round 27, where Ergin Ataman received 'F--k you Ataman' chants from the Red Star stands.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Facundo Campazzo Points 22 Accuracy 7-8 Rebounds 3 Assists 7

The Turkish coach called Zvezda fans an embarrassment to the EuroLeague and sports after the game, while the Red Star organization accused Ataman of provoking the harsh fans' reaction.

In the wake of the conflict, EHCB expressed their position and defended their member, denouncing the insults that were aimed at back-to-back EuroLeague champion Ergin Ataman. EHCB also noted that respect must be present for everyone who is part of the game, including players, referees, and even the league itself.

Full EHCB statement:

"EuroLeague Head Coaches Board understands that fans all over the continent make our sport unique. However, all the basketball stakeholders, including fans, must also understand that in this day and age respect towards everyone involved in the game is more than pivotal.

Insulting slurs of any kind don't belong in sports and what happened in Belgrade against our member Ergin Ataman and with other members of ours in other arenas, should be unacceptable by any standard. It's the same and also not acceptable to hear slurs against the referees in Kaunas or against the Euroleague league management across multiple arenas.

This is a firm position that reflects the stance of our all members and it extends to everyone who is part of the game, including players, referees, and even the league itself. We are fully aware of the mentality and the sports culture that for decades deemed that kind of fan behavior acceptable and we strongly feel that it's time for a change."

Marko Ivkovic: Incident that sparked hate between Zvezda and Ataman.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.