By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball launched an investigation into the recent bribery allegation of Ukrainian referee Mykola Ambrosov, but surfacing reactions paint a potential picture, including the Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of Ukraine Vladimir Drabikovsky sharing his view on Ambrosov.
“It’s my personal opinion, but I don’t believe it,” he stressed talking to Greek outlet Gazzetta about the Kyiv native’s allegations.
Ambrosov, 42, recently accused fellow referees Boris Ryzhyk and Ilias Koromilas of attempting to bribe him before Finals Game 2 of the 2020-21 edition of EuroCup. Euroleague Basketball followed up announcing an internal investigation and the Hellenic Basketball Federation opted to rule out Koromilas indefinitely.
“He was a EuroLeague referee. I know him well and Boris Ryzhyk and Ilias Koromilas as well, but also the system of EuroLeague referees. It can’t be that way,” continued Drabikovsky in describing Ambrosov and Euroleaugue Basketball’s approach to game officials.
“Ambrosov was my student,” explained the FBU Secretary General, “He was responsible for the referees in the second division and the women’s league. But the federation expelled him for corruption. He demanded money from the referees in order to promote them, sometimes even half their monthly salary. He was expelled for that reason.”
“Since then, he often attacks me, but also Ryzhyk. I don’t know why he chose Ryzhyk at this particular moment, but we didn’t kick him out. It was the board’s decision,” he added, “When he was young, he was a good referee. When he began to take power in his hands, he changed.”