ISTANBUL: Two of Turkey's top basketball clubs protested on Wednesday over a EuroLeague decision to once again let Israeli teams host European competition home games in Israel.
In a joint statement, Istanbul's Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes expressed concern at the decision, questioning how it was reached and saying that they had begun talks with EuroLeague's management over the issue.
Since the Israel's war on Gaza's Hamas rulers began in October 2023, Israeli clubs in the Euro League and EuroCup have played their home games abroad.
But following the October 10 ceasefire agreement, EuroLeague clubs met on Tuesday and "approved the proposal to return matches to Israel starting December 1, 2025", the body said.
"Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes have expressed their disapproval of the matter and clearly voiced their concerns about the potential outcome should the decision be implemented," the clubs wrote on X.
Although the EuroLeague press release and statements by its CEO, Paulius Motiejunas, "indicated that all members were unanimous during the decision-making process, no vote was taken at the meeting", they wrote.
Both clubs were in ongoing talks with Turkey's sporting institutions, "and the EuroLeague management regarding this matter" and would make the outcome known, they said.
Both Turkish clubs in the EuroLeague, which only began on September 30, have yet to play away to either Israeli side.
In October 2023, EuroLeague shareholders decided that Israeli clubs would play their international matches on safer grounds due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Since then, Hapoel Tel Aviv have made their home in Sofia, while Maccabi Tel Aviv's home base has been Belgrade.
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