Fenerbahce slams EuroLeague Final Four as thousands of fans stranded in Athens
Fenerbahce board member Cem Ciritci accused EuroLeague of serious organizational failures after thousands of ticketed Turkish fans were left stranded outside the arena in Athens before the semifinal against Olympiakos. He claimed that nearly 5,000 ticketless Olympiakos fans were allegedly allowed inside. Ciritci demanded a compensation mechanism and said Fenerbahce would pursue legal action.
Fenerbahce board member responsible for basketball operations, Cem Ciritci, launched a scathing criticism of the EuroLeague Final Four organization in Athens on Saturday, accusing officials of severe security and ticketing failures that left thousands of Turkish supporters stranded outside the arena despite holding valid tickets. “A Final Four organization is not only about basketball on the court. It is about security, justice, supporter rights, ticketing systems, stand planning and respect shown to visiting fans,” Ciritci said on X. He described how Fenerbahce fans who had purchased tickets and traveled long distances were forced to wait outside in confusion before the semifinal against Olympiakos.
Chaos and alleged favoritism
“Families were separated, people were left in uncertainty, and the seating plan became chaotic. While Fenerbahce fans were trying to enter the arena, rival supporters were even seen in family sections allocated to our fans,” Ciritci added. He demanded clarification from EuroLeague over claims that nearly 5,000 ticketless Olympiakos fans were allowed into the arena. “If ticketed supporters were left waiting outside while ticketless individuals were allowed inside, then this is no longer a simple organizational failure but a direct violation of supporter rights,” he said. Ciritci stressed that an event considered the pinnacle of European basketball cannot afford such failures.
Legal action and compensation
Ciritci said Fenerbahce would pursue legal action and collect testimonies, records, and evidence related to organizational failures, including seating irregularities and allegations involving ticketless spectators. He demanded a compensation mechanism for affected supporters. “EuroLeague cannot simply dismiss this situation as a ‘disruption.’ It must identify those responsible … because what happened in Athens was not only a Fenerbahce issue. It was an issue concerning the reputation of European basketball itself,” he added.
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