Tough Calls

Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below the latest "tough calls":

Tough Call 1 - Unsportsmanlike foul to prevent a quick transition play

During an offence by the visiting team, the ball is stolen by White 7 who attempts to start a fast break transition but pulls back the leg and arm of Blue 4. The referee calls an unsportsmanlike foul for non legitimate attempt to directly play the ball.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 2 - Unsportsmanlike foul by rule on fast break transition play

During a White team offense, White 55 is closely guarded by defender Black 33. White 55 fumbles the ball and Black 33 gains possession and fast breaks to the opponents' half. Defender White 1 chases after Black 33 and commits a foul without playing the ball but also according to Art.37, this was an unsportsmanlike foul on a player with an open path to basket when a contact from either behind or laterally is caused by the last defender.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 3 - Excessive contact on an opponent during the act of shooting

During a fast break by Black 6 and closely guarded by White 5, Black player attempts to shoot, is grabbed on his arms by White 5 and falls to the floor. The lead referee calls an unsportsmanlike foul on White 5 for excessive contact.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 4 - Out of bounds decision decided by Rule Art.14 Control of the Ball

During a Yellow offense, player Yellow 12 goes to the basket but under pressure from Red 00, he passes the ball to Yellow 20 under the basket and his shot for goal is blocked by defender Red 31. The ball bounces to the floor and looks to be going out of bounds when Red 1 leaps into the air and controls the ball with one hand causing the ball to go the full length of the court and out of bounds at the opposite end line. The officials confer about the situation and correctly apply the FIBA Interpretation example Art.14.3.a. which awards possession to the Yellow team.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 5 - Fighting situation which results in multiple disqualifications by Rule 39

During a White offense, player White 7 goes towards the basket defended by two defensive Black team players. A travel violation is called against White 7 and after words between White 7 and Black 8, Black 8 pushes White 7 to the floor. Players from both teams attempted to control the situation, but substitute players also entered the court. The officials consulted the Instant Replay System to confirm the final decisions. Black 8 and White 7 were disqualified for fighting, substitutes Black 20, White 3, 9 and 27 were also disqualified (Art.39.2.1) for illegally entering the court. Both Team White and Team Black coaches were penalised with a technical foul (Art.39.3.1) for failure to control their benches.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.