SCG - Fighting not over after riots mar finals

BELGRADE (Superleague) - The Superleague season is heading towards a sad end with the rest of the championship finals to be played behind closed doors following Thursday night's riots at the Pionir Hall.

The Superleague has awarded Partizan a 20-0 win over city rivals Red Star, who refused to return to the court after riots broke out in the crowd during Game Two.

However, the league's decision is not the end of the matter with accusations  flying between the two teams in the wake of ugly scenes in which 21 people were hurt - at least one seriously - when police clashed with Red Star fans.

Red Star's Milan Gurovic has claimed the championship is now a "bloody title" after the riots.

With Partizan leading 63-56, riots broke out in the fourth quarter, and after the court was cleared, Red Star's players refused to return.

In addition to awarding Partizan the win, Superleague director Predrag Bojic also declared that all forthcoming games of Superleague final will be played behind closed doors.

Red Star skipper Goran Jeretin and Gurovic have earned themselves 1000 euro (£680) fines for their public criticisms of basketball officials.

Gurovic strongly criticised Partizan for their decision to give away free of charge all of their tickets to the match, meaning fans from both teams ended up in the same sections.

"Nothing like this happened before when people simply went and bought tickets," said Gurovic.

"Traditionally, stands were divided in two parts, one with ours and one with their supporters. And now, several hundreds of our fans found tickets which were not on sale because Partizan gave all of them to their supporters for free.

"We are in the 21st century and we don't want a 'bloody title.' We don't need a trophy while supporters are falling from the stands, pushed like they are animals.

"That title would be won in blood, and is there any normal person interested in such a trophy?

"We, the players, went onto the terraces to stop that brutality, but problems were not just there. Referees were a problem too.

"It is well-known how they are working and for who," added Gurovic, a comment which lead to his fine.

Red Star coach Dragan Sakota did not want to comment on the troubles, but captain Jeretin said: "We decided not to come back on the court despite knowing there would be some sanctions by Superleague authorities.

"But we did it because of our fans, because it would be madness to play while massacre is going on in the stands.

"Lives are more important for us then any trophy. I really hope that everything will be alright soon, if it is possible at all."

However Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic pointed an accusing finger at Red Star's management, who issued an official protest because of the way tickets were distributed.

"I'm really sorry because all of this happened, we came here just for basketball," said Vujosevic

"But, after incidents of any kind, those who are responsible must be punished.

"Especially those who created the atmosphere that led to these incidents.

"Those who have been doing same thing for two years, who left the court in Vrsac (Red Star did so in the play-offs after similar incidents at terraces against Hemofarm), who have had players refusing to go off the court even after they are expelled (former Red Star player Tunji Awojobi, during another Belgrade derby last year).

"Those who are creating this atmosphere must face justice."

Sakota's team now trail 2-0 in the best-of-five series, with Game Three scheduled for this Sunday.

PA Sport