Euroleague Basketball issued an statement regarding Crvena zvezda mts fans banner on game between Crvena zvezda mts and Olympiacos in Round 20 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

“Regarding the banner that was displayed Friday evening by a group of Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade fans, Euroleague Basketball wishes to clarify the following: the message displayed by a minority of fans in no way represents either the sport of basketball, the European basketball family or the Euroleague Basketball organisation at any level.

On the contrary, European basketball has always been and will continue being an example of integration on and off the court, where cultures, races and religions have always come together sharing one common passion. It is precisely these many cultures, languages, races and ways of understanding and living the sport which make it a unique and enriching experience as well as a tool for bringing people together. The views expressed by the fans on Friday are offensive, harmful, and contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect.

Euroleague Basketball continues with its firm support to celebrate multicultural and multi-ethnical differences, using sport as a bridge between cultures. Euroleague Basketball strongly condemns any kind of discriminating comment or act of any kind against race, gender, sexuality or any other human condition.”

A disciplinary proceeding has been opened by Euroleague Basketball against the club.

Just to remind you, this banner was pointed to new Crvena zvezda mts center Alen Omic, as part of fans is not satisfied that club engaged this player due to different ethnical differences.

It is sad that such a things appears at Sport events. Hopefully, it won’t happen again at any games in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague or any other Sport competition.

In this game, Crvena zvezda mts wins over Olympiacos 89-78.