10/02/2010 14:27:49

Euroleague Basketball's independent disciplinary judge, Mr. Patrick Grandjean, has dismissed the protest against the referees' decision concerning the last play of the Top 16 Week 2 game, Partizan Belgrade–Regal F.C. Barcelona. The protest filed by Regal FC Barcelona with regards to its final attempt to score in overtime.

After having evaluated all the necessary information the Independent judge states in his final decision:

"The refereeing team judged that the last ball shot by Mr. Pete Mickeal had no chance to enter the basket when it was touched by Mr. Lawrence Roberts. There is no doubt that this resolution is a decision "on points of fact connected with play" and, therefore, "shall be final so far as the result of the game is concerned". In other words, the Officiating Crew considered that the conditions of article 31.2.6 OBR2008 were not fulfilled. This decision was made within the proper administration of the "Rules of the game" (FIBA Official Basketball Rules) and is not the result of an arbitrary choice or obviously unfounded evaluation of the situation. There is no evidence of an eventual breach of impartiality, which could be inconsistent with the principles of justice and fairness as provided by article 2 of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Regulations. "

"As a result, the Disciplinary Judge considers that his intervention in the present matter is not justified, as there is no regulatory base allowing him to overrule or re-examine the field referees' decision, which is final.”

Additionally the Judge made reference to the Officiating Crew’s use of the Instant Replay, referencing Euroleague Basketball By – Laws Appendix XII:

Article 1. Instant replay would be automatically referred to in the following situations:

a) A field goal made with no time remaining on the main game clock (0:00) at the end of any period or any extra period.

b) A foul called with no time remaining on the main game clock (0:00) at the end of any period or any extra period (…).

Included in his final decision the Judge has also considered that “not only the Officiating Crew had no reason to use the video replay system in the present case, but it should not have made the images accessible to the coaches of the teams or to other persons. “

(euroleague.net)

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