MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all BCL games each week. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those 'tough calls', along with an explanation.

Tough Call 1:  Galatasaray EKMAS vs. Bertram Derthona Tortona - Foul not in the act of shooting

Red 15 gets a rebound and drives to the basket. White 34 creates a contact and the referee calls a foul in the act of shooting, awarding the basket and 1 free throw to Red 15.

Article 15.1.3. The act of shooting in a continuous movement on a drive to the basket or other moving shot:
• Starts when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player begins, in the judgment of the referee, the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. Red 15 had not started his act of shooting when the illegal contact occurred. The Red team should have been awarded a throw-in from the place closest to where the foul occurred and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Tough Call 2: Rio Breogan vs. Pinar Karsiyaka - Head Coach challenge/personal foul

Blue 10 starts a transition and the referees call a personal foul to White 1. Blue team head coach requested a head coach challenge for un upgrade to unsportsmanlike foul. After the review, the referees stayed with their initial decision.

Article 37.1.1. An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which, in the judgement of a referee is:
• An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. White 1 tried to reach for the ball and this contact is not considered an unnecessary contact in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. The game shall be resumed with two free-throws for Blue 10, as the White team were already in team fouls penalty situation.

Tough Call 3: Peristeri bwin vs. Rytas Vilnius - No foul

Yellow 1 drives to the basket for a lay-up. When he is airborne, a contact with Black 17 occurs. The referees call a foul to Black 17 and award 2 free throws to Yellow 1.

Article 33.2 The defensive player must not be penalised for leaving the court vertically (within his/her cylinder) or having his/her hands and arms extended above him/her within his/her own cylinder.
The offensive player, whether on the court or airborne, shall not cause contact with the defensive player in a legal guarding position by:
• Using his/her arms to create more space for himself (pushing off).
• Spreading his/her legs or arms during or immediately after a shot for a goal.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. Defender Black 17 jumped vertically inside his cylinder and did not create any contact with his opponent. On the other hand, the offensive player, Yellow 1, had his arm extended inside his own cylinder and did not push the defender, therefore, this is a no call situation, and the play should have continued.