By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
After lashing out against Israeli referees via a rather angry Instagram post, Amare Stoudemire issued a statement clarifying that he didn’t mean to “hurt the official’s feelings” or “show any disrespect to them.”
The statement is as follows:
“It has been brought to my attention that a complaint was registered against me due to my post on Instagram after our game in Eilat, and that if I fail to submit an apology, I will be up for disciplinary hearing.
I did not intend to to hurt the officials’ feelings or to show any disrespect to them.
They carry out a very difficult job and I appreciate that.
All of us players need their protection and I am confident that they will do their best to protect us.
Sincerely,
Amare Stoudemire”
The Hapoel Jerusalem center has deleted said controversial Instagram post. In its place, there is now a rather different message (but with the same picture of a lion… stalking someone/something) through which Stoudemire expresses his frustration with the way opponents play against him, basically calling them out for unsportsmanlike behavior on the floor.
When it comes to referees, the former NBA star now writes that, “it’s their job to call the game”. He adds,”it’s not easy, because there is so much action going on throughout the game”, in harmony with the spirit of the above statement.
Stoudemire finishes his post, saying “Let’s make Israeli League the best in Europe” and… “I’m still watching”.