Panathinaikos Presents United Front After Ataman's Reaction to Cyprus Banner

Athens, Greece - Panathinaikos Basketball Club issued an official statement addressing the events that transpired in Cyprus and the Turkish coach's reaction to a banner referencing the 50 years of occupation of the island.

The statement, released after the controversy surrounding Ergin Ataman's response to the banner displayed during a friendly game against Maccabi in Cyprus, avoids mentioning the specific incident. Instead, it focuses on conveying a message of unity within the organization.

Initially emphasizing that Panathinaikos "has for years proven to be a genuinely patriotic team," the statement goes on to say that "our family welcomes players and coaches from every country, nationality and race." It adds that "no one can disrupt the relationship between the team, coach, and fans."

The official statement from Panathinaikos BC reads:

"Panathinaikos BC AKTOR has for years proven to be a genuinely patriotic team, an undisputed ambassador of Greek sports worldwide, which operates with the national interest in mind, consistently supporting Greek athletes, constituting the core of the National Team and spreading Greek values and principles to every corner of the planet.

Unlike others who, without measure and with ulterior motives, misappropriate and later distort reality, we do not Hellenize, we do not offend our country with actions aimed at ephemeral gain, we do not exploit our national identity by using it at will.

With pride and a particular moral obligation, for decades our family has welcomed players and coaches from every country, every nationality and race. Each of us has the self-evident and inalienable right to believe in whatever they want, to espouse any sociopolitical view and position, to walk their own path with their own code of values and personal perceptions, but we will always emphasize that the team is beyond and above anything individual, any personal position and opinion. The team is beyond and above all of us. Officials, players, coaches, and fans owe it to ourselves to serve the sporting ideal and nothing else. Sport unites, it does not divide, and we all have a moral obligation to our history and our future to remain faithful to the sporting spirit and its ideals.

As the most historic basketball club in Greece and Europe, we believe that sport is and must remain a society that promotes coexistence, communication, and brotherhood. We do not tolerate the slightest deviation from this.

THE TEAM, our coach, our fans, and all of us are united as one fist and nothing can shake us. No one can disrupt this relationship!"

The statement concludes by reiterating the club's commitment to unity and its belief in the power of sport to bridge divides. Despite the controversy, Panathinaikos remains focused on the upcoming season and its goals both domestically and in Europe.