Fenerbahce not sending players to Turkish NT due to Ataman’s gesture

Fenerbahce issued a public statement regarding Ergin Ataman and the decision not to send players to the Turkish national team.

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Panathinaikos defeated Galatasaray in a prep game played in Turkey, and Ergin Ataman found himself at the center of attention after the game.

The coach of Panathinaikos made a 3-1 gesture to the stands, alluding to the score of the Fenerbahçe – Galatasaray football match played over the weekend, in which Galatasaray prevailed.

Fenerbahçe reacted to this and stated that they would not send athletes to the National Basketball Team as long as Ergin Ataman remains in his position, despite his apology: “It was in no way my intention to target or offend any community when I did this.”

Read Fenerbahce‘s statement in full:

“It is well known to the public the behavior exhibited by the Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team following his team’s match on September 24, 2024, directed towards the public from the stands.

The character, demeanor, and mission of this individual, based on his past actions and attitudes, are now evident. What he did in front of millions of viewers stands in complete opposition to the dignity and identity of the ‘National Team Head Coach’ position.

The National Team belongs to all of us. Every individual who is part of this team must act with this awareness and responsibility.

This behavior, carried out in an attempt to appease one community, is a great disrespect to our own community, to the dignity of the National Team Head Coach position, and even to our country.

His apology to our community has been disregarded by us.

As Fenerbahçe Sports Club, we announce to the public that as long as this individual, who has overstepped his bounds, remains in this role—one that requires essential qualities such as ‘dignity’ and ‘neutrality’—we have decided not to send players from our club to the Senior Men’s National Team,” stated Fenerbahce.