By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite 21 players being ejected from Game 2 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs best-of-five series forcing the contest to be suspended in favor of Partizan Mozzart Bet, only four were eventually sanctioned.
Besides reviewing video footage and issuing the sanctions, the Euroleague Basketball Independent Disciplinary Judge additionally explained his decisions.
It’s a fact that Real Madrid’s Sergio Llull sparked the bench-clearing brawl and was called for an unsportsmanlike foul. However, he did not engage in any physical aggression during the brawl and was among the few players avoiding ejection. Because he was not disqualified, he could not have been sanctioned by the Judge.
As for the 21 players in the range of possible further punishment for their involvement in the brawl, Guershon Yabusele was handed a five-game suspension and Madrid teammate Gabriel Deck was on the receiving end of a one-game suspension. On the opposite end, Partizan’s Kevin Punter and Matthias Lessort were sanctioned with a two-game and one-game suspension, respectively.
Barring more players from the list, the Judge considered that while some other players may have had contact with the opposing team’s players, “that cannot be qualified as physical aggression or attempted physical aggression” and therefore can not be considered an infringement of Article 27.1(a) of the Code.
Neither team contested the Crew Chief’s report with the exception of the Madrid outfit arguing that Dzanan Musa did not exchange blows with player B7, as noted.
Game 3 will be held in Belgrade’s Stark Arena tomorrow, Tuesday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net