MUNICH (Germany) - Our weekly Tough Calls feature breaks down selected situations from across EuroLeague Women, with expert analysis from the FIBA Referee Department explaining how each moment was assessed.
TC1: Kibirkstis-TOKS vs Athinaikos - Disruptive Foul
After a White team throw-in, Blue #6 steals the ball and starts a transition. An illegal contact created by White #99 is called as a personal foul. The referees become uncertain whether the foul met the criteria for a disruptive foul and decide to use the IRS review. After the review, the foul is upgraded to a disruptive foul.
Article 37.1.1
A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage. The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:
An illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket, and:
The progressing player is in control of the ball, or
The progressing player is attempting to gain control of the ball, or
The ball has been released on a pass to the progressing player.
This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
F.3.3
The following game situations may be reviewed at any time of the game:
• whether a personal, disruptive, flagrant or disqualifying foul met the criteria for such a foul or shall be upgraded or downgraded or shall be considered as a technical foul
Outcome
Initial incorrect decision by the referees, which is corrected after the IRS review. The illegal contact by White #99 met one of the criteria for a disruptive foul. Blue #6 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up and the game shall be resumed with a Blue team throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt and 14” on the shot clock.
TC2: Emlak Konut vs Lotto AZS UMCS Lublin - Flagrant Foul
White #13 gains control of the ball on the rebound and starts a transition. When coming closer to defender Green #2, a contact occurs and the referee calls an offensive foul on White #13.
Article 38.1.1
A flagrant foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent, which violates the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, and by its nature and/or the severity level exceeds the limits of a personal or disruptive foul. The criteria for flagrant fouls are the following:
• Excessive, hard contact in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.
Outcome
Incorrect decision by the referee. The illegal contact by White #13 met one of the criteria for a flagrant foul. White #13 should have been penalized with a flagrant foul, which counts towards game disqualification (GD). Green #2 should have attempted 2 free throws with no line-up and the game should have been resumed with a Green team throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt and 14” on the shot clock.
FIBA