MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all Basketball Champions League, powered by Ameresco SUNEL games each week. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase transparency, we publish some of those Tough Calls, along with an explanation.
TC1: Hapoel Netanel Holon vs. Joventut Badalona - Unsportsmanlike Foul
Yellow #20 receives a pass in the restricted area. Green #1 grabs him and the referee calls a foul not in the act of shooting.
The Yellow team Head Coach requests a Head Coach Challenge for a possible upgrade to unsportsmanlike foul.
Article 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent
Outcome: The initial decision by the referee was incorrect. The foul met one of the criteria to be called an Unsportsmanlike Foul.
This is an obvious play that should have the correct decision straight away to avoid that a Head Coach loses his only Challenge opportunity in such an obvious situation.
TC2: Trapani Shark vs. Tofas Bursa - Foul and IRS
Close to the end of the quarter, Red #9 attempts a three-point shot. The referee calls a foul on White #8 when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the playing time.
After the IRS review, the referees cancel the personal foul.
F.3.1: The following game situations may be reviewed at the end of the quarter or overtime:
whether and how much time shall be displayed on the game clock, if a foul was committed before the end of the quarter or overtime.
Article 9.7: A quarter, overtime or game shall end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or overtime. When the backboard is equipped with red lighting around its perimeter, the light takes precedence over the game clock signal sound.
Article 32.1.3: If a foul is committed after the ball has become dead when
the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or each overtime,
an infraction is committed,
it shall be disregarded unless it is a technical, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul.
Outcome: After the review, correct decision by the referees changing the initial decision.
The contact occurred after the red light on the backboard flashed, so it did not occur during the playing time. As it was a personal foul, it must be disregarded.
TC3: MLP Academics Heidelberg vs. Rytas Vilnius - Unsportsmanlike Foul
On a rebound, the referee calls a personal foul on Black #21, who fouled White #21. The White team Head Coach requests a Head Coach Challenge for a possible upgrade to unsportsmanlike foul.
Article 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent
Outcome: The initial incorrect decision by the referee was corrected after the review. The contact created by Black #21, met one of the criteria to be considered Unsportsmanlike Foul.
TC4: Legia Warszawa vs. Promitheas Patras BC Vikos Cola - Unsportsmanlike Foul
White #11 receives a pass and starts to dribble the ball. Defender, Black #8, creates an illegal contact, and the referee calls Unsportsmanlike Foul.
Article 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Contact with an opponent not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The illegal contact created by Black #8 met one of the criteria to be considered Unsportsmanlike Foul.