Elie Okobo apologized for his reaction to his ejection during Monaco's game vs. Nanterre, where he showed referee Freddy Lepercq his middle finger while heading to the locker room.
With less than four minutes left to play in AS Monaco's domestic league game against Nanterre this Saturday, Elie Okobo was ejected with an unsportsmanlike foul and a technical foul.
Heading to the locker room, the Frenchman showed referee Freddy Lepercq his middle finger in a gesture that Vassilis Spanoulis addressed during his post-game statements.
"It is unacceptable," the Greek coach said.
"Although he may be right about a few whistles, he must not do that! He's a role model for young people, he can't respond like that when he's pissed off," the Greek tactician noted.
"He understood that it was wrong, but it was too late. He has to control his emotions more. Elie must understand his mistake because he is a great player, a good guy in the group, a hard worker."
While Okobo might receive a heavy sanction for his gesture, The Roca Team also specified that "the player will be sanctioned in accordance with the internal regulations of the club".
Okobo himself issued a public apology, also posted on his X ccount.
"I apologize to the entire refereeing body for my angry gesture last night. It is unacceptable and has no place on a basketball court. This is not the image I want to convey. Emotions sometimes take over and this is not a valid reason," the French international wrote.
"I would like to apologize again to Freddy Lepercq and especially to the young people who follow me and take me as an example. I am a competitor and I must transmit better values on the court than yesterday."
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