Basketball Rift: Fenerbahce vs National Coach Over Galatasaray Gesture

Fenerbahce's basketball team decided not to release players for international duty after Turkey's national coach Ergin Ataman, also coaching Panathinaikos, referenced a Galatasaray win in a gesture. Fenerbahce felt disrespected and ignored Ataman's apology. Meanwhile, football coach Jose Mourinho also expressed dissatisfaction over post-match conduct by Galatasaray's coach.

Fenerbahce's basketball team has announced that they will not release their players for international duty. This decision follows a controversial gesture made by Turkey's national basketball coach, Ergin Ataman, who also coaches Greek side Panathinaikos.

Ataman showed support for Fenerbahce's rival, Galatasaray, by holding up three fingers on one hand and one on the other, in reference to Galatasaray's recent 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce in the Super Lig. Ataman later explained on Instagram that the gesture was unplanned and not intended to offend.

Despite his apology, Fenerbahce condemned the act as disrespectful to their community and the national team, deciding not to send any athletes to the men's national team during Ataman's tenure. Additionally, Fenerbahce's football coach Jose Mourinho criticized Galatasaray's coach Okan Buruk for taking too long in a post-match press conference, calling it a lack of respect.

(With inputs from agencies.)