EuroLeague: Fan handed lifetime ban following racist comments towards referee
- Planet Sport writer
- 16 December 2023
Euroleague Basketball has imposed a fan with a lifetime following racist abuse.
The league has banned the individual from access to any Euroleague Basketball games and events due to the racist comments addressed to one of the officiating crew members at the Olympiacos Piraeus vs Valencia Basket game, on December 15, 2023.
The home club, Olympiacos Piraeus, had already canceled the individual’s season ticket shortly after the incident and announced that he would be prohibited from attending any Olympiacos’ games, ever.
In a statement, the Greek club said: "KAE Olympiacos has always been against any form and act of racism.
"For this reason, we unequivocally condemn today's verbal attack by a "fan" of our team against one of the referees of the match.
"Finally, we announce that his season ticket is immediately removed and his entry to the Peace and Friendship Stadium is forever prohibited."
The same message was underlined by the competition who, in their own statement, said: "Euroleague Basketball, Olympiacos Piraeus and all its fellow clubs are strongly committed to celebrating diversity and promoting respect, using basketball to unite fans, and applying a zero-tolerance policy at their events towards any acts that go against these values."
