Valencia Basket has regretted the “deplorable attitude” of the president of Panathinaikos, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, during the second game of the Euroleague quarterfinals this Friday at the Roig Arena, stating that he tried to “influence and rebuke the referees” and that it generated “unjustifiable tension”, for which it will present a formal complaint to the continental competition.
“Valencia Basket condemns the attitude of the president of Panathinaikos, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who exceeded any limit during the match by approaching the table with a deplorable attitude, trying to influence and rebuke the referees, as reflected in the match report, also refusing to comply with the instructions of the security forces and generating unjustifiable tension, reasons for which the Police have also opened a report against him, as well as some other members of its expedition,” the club said in a statement.
A basket by Nigel Hayes-Davis for the Greek team in overtime and at the buzzer once again condemned the ‘Taronja’ team (105-107) on Friday, which will travel to Athens with an adverse 0-2 in the five-game series. All in a tense meeting in which the owner and president of the ‘PAO’, sitting on the edge of the court, addressed the referee’s table on several occasions with angry gestures, protesting some actions.
Valencia Basket confirmed that it will formally complain to the Euroleague. “The club will present a formal complaint to the competition and hopes that the Euroleague will harshly punish this type of behavior that tarnishes the good image of our sport, knowing that this is also a repeat offender,” he concluded.