Turkish President calls Panathinaikos AKTOR Head Coach Ergin Ataman for condolences
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called head coach Ergin Ataman, who was threatened by the Israeli representative's official after the Panathinaikos AKTOR-Maccabi Playtika match in the Basketball THY Europa League play-off quarter-final series, wished him "get well soon" and conveyed a message of support.
According to the information obtained, President Erdoğan had a telephone conversation with the Head Coach of the National Basketball Team and Panathinaikos AKTOR Head Coach Ataman.
Erdoğan wished Ataman "get well soon" and conveyed his message of support.
Background to the incident
Greek team Panathinaikos AKTOR, which defeated Israeli representative Maccabi Playtika 95-79 in the Basketball THY Europa League play-off quarter-final series, Turkish head coach Ataman was subjected to threatening remarks by one of the technical staff of the rival team, and there was tension on the court and in the locker room corridors after the match played at OAKA Altion.
At the press conference organised after the game, Ataman said, "One of Maccabi's technical team said, 'We will meet in Israel. You will see what the Zionists will do to you'. I am Ergin Ataman. I am the coach of Panathinaikos, I am the coach of the Turkish National Team, I am a Turkish citizen, you cannot do anything to me."
