Basketball fan in Greece gets lifetime ban for racial slur

By Can Erozden

The EuroLeague has imposed a "lifetime ban" on a Olympiacos fan in Greece for a racial slur towards a referee during a recent game.

"EuroLeague Basketball has imposed a fan with a lifetime prohibition to access 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 Dec. 15, 2023," the league's organizers said in a statement on Saturday.

They said the Greek club Olympiacos "already canceled the individual's season ticket shortly after the incident."

The EuroLeague Head Coaches Board, EuroLeague Players’ Association and Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials also issued a joint statement, saying they “are condemning the racial slur that has been registered by a fan sitting courtside at the game between Olympiacos and Valencia in hopes that this incident can help EuroLeague fans turn their backs on such behavior.

“We have witnessed, especially in recent years, a rise in verbal and non-verbal incidents towards players, coaches and referees. Insulting chants have become accepted and lines are regularly crossed. Fans are making the EuroLeague special and their devotion is more than appreciated. We know our jobs are under the loupe and positive criticism is always welcomed, but there must be clear boundaries to fans’ behavior,” it added.

Olympiacos said Friday that they have "always been against racism" and condemn the verbal abuse by the fan. They also announced that the club will not let him enter the Peace and Friendship Stadium ever.

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 14 game on Friday, Olympiacos lost to Spain's Valencia Basket 63-56 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.