A pleasant basketball match between Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv in southern Cyprus took a pointy flip from sports activities to politics when a controversial banner unfurled by Panathinaikos supporters overshadowed the on-court motion.
The recreation, which ought to have been a show of worldwide competitors, as a substitute grew to become a flashpoint for historic and political tensions.
Banner outrage
The drama started when Panathinaikos followers revealed a banner studying, “Bloody Turkish Invasion of Cyprus,” referring to Türkiye’s 1974 navy intervention in Cyprus.
This occasion stays a bitter level of competition between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with Greek Cypriots viewing it as an invasion, whereas Turkish Cypriots have a good time it because the “Cyprus Peace Operation.”
The banner instantly reignited these historic wounds, drawing outrage and a focus away from the sport.
Ataman’s protest
On the court docket, Panathinaikos’ Turkish coach Ergin Ataman discovered himself caught up within the rigidity.
Frustrated by the refereeing selections within the recreation’s remaining interval, Ataman dramatically stormed onto the court docket, protesting with a double-fisted gesture indicating his ejection earlier than it was formally declared.
His emotional outburst, nevertheless, was rapidly eclipsed by the controversy unfolding within the stands.
Despite Ataman’s protests, the main focus remained on the politically charged banner.
Maccabi Tel Aviv went on to safe an 88-75 victory, however the consequence felt secondary to the occasions occurring off the court docket.
‘Sports aren’t for politics’
In the aftermath, Ataman addressed the incident in a written assertion, expressing his disappointment with the political provocation. “A banner was displayed in a place meant for sports and friendship, which did not reflect the hospitality we’ve experienced here. I reacted as strongly as possible to draw attention to this,” he wrote on social media.
Ataman emphasised that sports activities arenas ought to foster peace, not political division, stating: “The people who displayed that banner do not represent the thousands who have shown me and my team love and respect. Our bond with real basketball fans here remains unshaken.”
The veteran coach additional highlighted the heat and hospitality his crew obtained throughout their go to to Nicosia.
“We were warmly welcomed from day one, greeted with genuine love. The fans who attended our signing event at the hotel brought a real sense of friendship and peace. It’s this unity, through basketball, that will always prevail,” he mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com