The EuroLeague Players Association and Joventut Badalona have decided to take steps against the fan who shouted racist slurs at Ulm's Yago dos Santos.

Credit: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Credit Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

One day after Ratiopharm Ulm's player Yago dos Santos became the target of racial slurs by a couple of Joventut Badalona fans, both the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA) and the Spanish club decided to react. 

Yago Dos Santos

Yago Dos Santos
Team: Ratiopharm Ulm
Position: SG
Age: 23
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Birth place: Brazil

With less than four minutes left and Ratiopharm Ulm leading by three (72-69) against the hosts in the EuroCup Round 14 game, a woman fan sitting in the front row shouted 'Monkey!' aiming at the Brazilian guard. 

Following the Brazilian Basketball Federation's announcement that calls the EuroCup to investigate the incident, the ELPA also condemned it, adding that action has already been taken.

"ELPA strongly condemns racist behavior expressed by a fan of Joventut Badalona towards Yago dos Santos of Ratiopharm Ulm in yesterday's Eurocup game between the two clubs. Such behavior has no place in sport or in life.

ELPA is already in touch with Euroleague Basketball and expects Joventut Badalona to take appropriate measures against the fan with the goal to completely eradicate such behavior from future games and events," the Players' Union ask. 

For their part, Badalona have responded to the incident by promising to "collaborate as necessary with the authorities and abide by the decisions that arise."

"As a result of the images collected in the television broadcast of yesterday, February 7, 2023, during the Club Joventut Badalona - Ratiopharm Ulm match, we want to express that:

The values ​​of la Penya, since its foundation in 1930, have been presided over by a deep love for sport in general and for basketball in particular. An appreciation that cannot be understood without absolute respect for rivals, referees and fans who come to visit us at Olimpico de Badalona every week.

Yago Dos Santos

Yago Dos Santos
Yago Dos Santos
MIN: 25.96
PTS: 12.43 (55.69%)
REB: 3.14
As: 6.14
ST: 0.71
BL: 0.07
TO: 2
GM: 14

We strongly reject any type of intimidating, harassing, racist and/or xenophobic behavior and/or comments in our facilities and in any of the fields where our teams play their matches.

We have already brought the videos to the attention of the competent authorities so that they can analyze them, take the necessary actions and take the corresponding decisions. As always, Joventut Badalona will collaborate as much as necessary with the authorities and abide by the decisions that may arise.

Being the birthplace of basketball represents a great honor, but it also entails an immense responsibility, to safeguard values ​​such as integration, respect, coexistence, equality, diversity, effort, teamwork and camaraderie that we transmit to the more than 500 children and adolescents that we have on our teams."

Late on Wednesday evening, Ratiopharm Ulm issued their response:

"At our game yesterday at Joventut Badalona, our point guard Yago dos Santos was racially insulted by spectators.

We condemn the behavior displayed in the strongest possible terms, as well as any racist and discriminatory statements on and off the court. We would like to thank Joventut Badalona for the consistent response.

We stand for diversity and cosmopolitanism. For a team as colorful and different as our fans, our homeland and the whole world."

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2-pointers this season

57%
21,6
Points made: 21,6
Accuracy: 57,0%
Place in standings: 4
Record max: 25
Record min: 19
Most made 2FGs: Ante Tomic