Fenerbahce Players Refuse National Team Duty After Coach’s Controversial Gesture

Turkish basketball team Fenerbahce has decided to withhold its players from reporting to the national team following a controversial gesture made by national head coach Ergin Ataman in support of their football rivals, Galatasaray.

Ataman, who has been coaching the Turkish national basketball team since 2022 and took over at Greek club Panathinaikos in 2023, sparked outrage during a friendly match between Panathinaikos and Galatasaray on Tuesday. He raised his fingers to indicate the score of the recent Turkish Super Lig match, where Galatasaray defeated Fenerbahce 3-1.

Following backlash, Ataman apologized for his “unplanned” celebration, asserting that he “definitely did not intend to target or offend any community.” He expressed his respect for Fenerbahce but acknowledged that his actions had caused discomfort among its supporters. “I am aware of the discomfort my actions yesterday caused in the Fenerbahce community,” he stated, emphasizing that he did not wish to create any negative perception.

In response to Ataman’s actions, Fenerbahce announced that none of their players will participate in national team activities as long as he remains in charge. The club’s statement condemned Ataman’s gesture, asserting that it contradicts the dignity expected from the national team coach. “The national team belongs to all of us. Every individual who is part of this team must act with this awareness and responsibility,” they said, denouncing the behavior as disrespectful to their community and the integrity of the national team.

Turkey is scheduled to face Hungary in EuroBasket qualifiers on November 22 and 25, but the situation has now raised questions about the national team’s composition and leadership going forward.