By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Already out of postseason contention in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne draws an additional complication at the domestic level.
The team based in a suburb of Lyon and controlled by retired player Tony Parker was sanctioned by LNB due to suspected financial irregularities on the contracts of Nando De Colo and Joffrey Lauvergne.
“Since September 14, 2022, the Superior Management Council has repeatedly asked ASVEL to provide documents necessary for the contracts of the two players. These requests have also been made to the players concerned. These requests were not met with a satisfactory response with regard to the requirements of the Superior Management Council,” notes the press release issued Thursday.
Apart from a fine of 100,000 euros, two wins were revoked from the team record in France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A. The aforementioned players were not named by the French league.
ASVEL announced intentions to submit an appeal with the French Federation of Basketball handling the secondary decision.
Notre club prend acte de cette décision et a immédiatement décidé de faire appel. #LDLCASVEL pic.twitter.com/Ohc2fQx6Ui
— LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) March 30, 2023
Both De Colo and Lauvergne were picked up in the offseason leading to the 2022-23 campaign. French players with plenty of experience in the NBA and Europe to boost the squad but with limited success so far and the experienced center on the injury list for most of the season.
Undefeated across domestic competitions since losing to AS Monaco in late January, the team coached by T.J. Parker improved to 15-9 in the domestic league, qualified for the Coupe de France final, and won the Leaders Cup. However, removing two wins from the LNB Pro A record will require a late push to extend the campaign into the Playoffs.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net