Ergin Ataman: I won't warn you again

Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman made a statement about the events that took place in the second match of the final series played against Olympiacos on June 1.

Ergin Ataman, who shared a post on his social media account, said, "You did not even apologize for the racist insults against my country that were organized throughout the match on your field 5 days ago. I was questioned, accused and punished in a way that I have never experienced in my 30-year career with the sports court you had set up in the federation building the day before yesterday's match. Moreover, I only dealt with the allegations of three Olympiacos BC lawyers here. I have never taken a step back and I will not. I expressed the disrespect you showed both my country and my club in an interview I gave after the match. If I encounter a similar situation, I will show the same reaction without hesitation."

In his message, Ataman said, "Although I was faced with an unprecedented audacious practice in sports history, I was there out of respect for the Greek authorities. Matches are won or lost, but the behavior of you, your fans and athletes who lack sports ethics has gone down in European sports history as a black mark."

"I WILL NOT WARN YOU AGAIN"

Ataman ended his post with the following words: "In your last statement, you said 'We got out of the forest alive'. No one, I repeat emphatically, no one, can refer to OAKA, the most modern basketball hall in Europe, as a 'Forest' or to the 20 thousand Panathinaikos fans who came to support their team and whom I am proud of, as 'Animals'. I will not warn you once again about this issue. Look for the reasons for your guilt not elsewhere; but in your own behaviors that do not befit sports."