Turkey’s “No Mercy” Post Sparks Backlash After EuroBasket Semifinal
A controversy has unfolded around the Turkish Basketball Federation following their removal of a social media post that caused outrage in Greece. The incident came just after Turkey’s victory over Greece in the EuroBasket 2025 semifinal, a matchup that was already emotionally charged given the long basketball rivalry between the two nations.
The now-deleted post had combined two striking images: Turkish player Cedi Osman dunking, and Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo caught in a pre-game prayer moment. Across the graphic, the words “No Mercy” were written. To many Greek fans, and especially to the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK), the post crossed a line. An official complaint was lodged not only with Turkey’s federation but also with FIBA, basketball’s international governing body.
After the protest, the Turkish Basketball Federation issued an apology, saying the post was created and published without approval from senior management. The federation quickly ordered it to be taken down. Their explanation suggested it was an unauthorized post, but the damage had already been done. The phrase “No Mercy” was widely interpreted as unnecessarily provocative, especially given the sensitivity of sporting rivalry between Turkey and Greece.
Also Read:- Married at First Sight UK 2025 Brings New Brides, Grooms, and Big Drama
- Joe Burrow Exits Week 2 Game with Toe Injury
The incident didn’t end there. Turkish player Alperen Şengün added to the controversy with an Instagram post. He shared a celebratory message that read, “Isn’t the sea breeze good?” alongside the Turkish flag. While the phrase itself was taken from a song, many Greeks saw it as a veiled reference to the 1922 destruction of Smyrna, a deeply painful historical event marked by tragedy and displacement of the Greek community. The post also featured an AI-generated image of the Turkish national team together with Kemal Atatürk.
This post sparked heated exchanges online, with Greek users calling it offensive and insensitive, while many Turkish fans urged a focus on basketball rather than historical wounds. The backlash was so strong that Şengün eventually disabled comments on the post.
For Greece’s basketball federation, the matter was framed as an issue of responsibility. Their argument was that official federations, especially during major tournaments, must avoid language or imagery that can inflame tensions. What should have been a celebration of a hard-fought semifinal victory risked being overshadowed by unnecessary provocation.
As things stand, both controversial posts have been removed or restricted, and attention is shifting back to the court. Turkey is preparing for the EuroBasket final against Germany, while Greece reflects on a tournament that ended at the semifinal stage. Still, this episode serves as a reminder of how quickly celebrations on social media can spiral into international disputes when historical sensitivities and national rivalries are involved.
In the end, the hope is that the focus will return to the basketball itself, but the “No Mercy” post has already left its mark on this year’s EuroBasket story.
Read More:
0 Comments