The last Ataman: Fenerbahce players will not go with Turkey as long as he remains a coach
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Fenerbahce, one of the two main Turkish basketball teams, announced on Wednesday that it will no longer transfer its players to the national team in protest at the celebration by coach Ergin Ataman of the victory of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce’s eternal rival, in the recent football derby.
“The attitude of this person in front of millions of spectators is completely contrary to respect for the position of national coach,”Fenerbahce’s statement said.
Ergen Ataman, during the Panathinaikos match.Eve
This refers to a gesture made by Ataman in front of television cameras when he met with fans of his former team, Galatasaray, after a friendly match against the Greek Panathinaikos, which he currently manages.
After winning the friendly match (56-85), the Ataman received the camera from the court, raised three fingers of one hand and the other, which the audience interpreted as a reference to Galatasaray’s victory over Fenerbahce (1-3) in the Super League football match last Saturday.
“The national team belongs to all of us. Everyone who is part of it must take it into account and act accordingly. This gesture is a huge disrespect for our society, for the position of the national coach and even for our country,” insists Fenerbahce’s statement.
After the controversy that arose Ergin Ataman posted a statement on his Instagram account, which confirmed that he did not want to offend any sports team with this gesture.
“I have always expressed my respect for the Fenerbahce community, but I was the coach of one of their biggest rivals (Galatasaray from 2012 to 2017). I realize that my gesture yesterday made fans of the Ochi Artpop uncomfortable. It saddens me sincerely and I apologize to the entire Ochi art community”.
However, the sports club rejected these apologies.
“We do not accept this statement of apology. He crossed the line. We announce our decision not to send our players to the national team, while he (Ataman) remains in this position, where respect and neutrality are necessary,” concludes Fenerbahce’s statement.
