Ergin Ataman left Game 4 early after being targeted by offensive chants from Anadolu Efes fans, prompting strong support from Cedi Osman, who called the treatment "a disgrace."
Anadolu Efes Istanbul evened their playoff series against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at 2-2 on Friday, but the end of Game 4 was as intense as the action on the court.
With 16 seconds remaining, Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman left the court early after hearing offensive chants from Anadolu Efes fans.
According to reports, some fans shouted at him a chant heard in previous years by Fenerbahce fans, urging him to call a timeout. As a response, Ataman made a time-out gesture to them, then showed the banners with the two back-to-back (2021, 2022) EuroLeague trophies that Efes won with him at the helm, and walked off the court.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
17
|
| Shane Larkin | |
| Points | 9 |
| Accuracy | 4-7 |
| Rebounds | 4 |
| Assists | 9 |
He also skipped the post-game interview with EuroLeague TV and did not attend the press conference.
Cedi Osman, who led PAO with a game-high 22 points, spoke out about the situation.
"They booed me, I don't care. But what they did to coach Ataman, who has won two EuroLeague titles with this team, was really disrespectful," Osman told reporters.
"They can boo me, I don't really care. But it was a disgrace what they did to coach Ataman."
"It was bullsh*t," Osman summed up everything.
In Ataman's absence, assistant coach Christos Serelis addressed the media, saying, "Coach Ataman is not feeling well and feels disrespected by some people."
The decisive Game 5 will take place next Tuesday in Athens.
