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Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman Reacts to Referees: 'They Follow Like a TV Series'
🇹🇷 Turkey /Sports

Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman Reacts to Referees: 'They Follow Like a TV Series'

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Panathinaikos' head coach Ergin Ataman criticized the refereeing after his team's 82-76 loss to Olympiakos in the Greek Basketball League playoffs.
  • Ataman claimed Olympiakos received significantly more free throws, stating the score should have been closer to 29-5 in free throw attempts.
  • He accused Greek and Serbian media of biased reporting, suggesting they consistently portray him negatively while praising the referees.

Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman voiced strong criticism of the referees following his team's defeat to Olympiakos in the first game of the Greek Basketball League playoffs. Olympiakos secured a 82-76 victory on their home court.

You know there are many television series that people follow in Turkey. I know that Greeks also watch series. Our finals are exactly like that. People in the sports world follow these as if they were a television series.

— Ergin AtamanHead coach Ergin Ataman compared the intensity of the basketball finals to a television drama.

Ataman likened the intensity of the finals to a popular television drama, suggesting that fans follow the games with similar fervor. He specifically targeted the officiating, stating, "The score is 82-76? No, it's 29-5. Olympiakos took a total of 29 free throws, including critical ones in the last two minutes, while we only managed to take 5."

The score is 82-76? No, it's 29-5. Olympiakos took a total of 29 free throws, including critical ones in the last two minutes, while we only managed to take 5.

— Ergin AtamanAtaman detailed his complaint about the disparity in free throw attempts during the match.

The Turkish coach accused Greek and Serbian media outlets of perpetuating a biased narrative. "The Greek media, the Serbian media are constantly writing the same things. Ataman is the worst coach in Europe, you have the best referees. Congratulations," he stated sarcastically, highlighting his perception of unfair treatment.

The Greek media, the Serbian media are constantly writing the same things. Ataman is the worst coach in Europe, you have the best referees. Congratulations.

— Ergin AtamanAtaman criticized the media's coverage and the officiating in the game.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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