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

TC1: AEK BETSSON vs. PROMITHEAS PATRAS - Special situations

Blue 26 gets a loose ball. Yellow 24 fouls him. Then, there is a reaction by Blue 26, leading to some physical interaction between players from both teams. The referees meet and decide to use IRS to check a possible act of violence by Blue 26.

During the review, the referees decide that the contact created by Blue 26 on Yellow 24 meets the criteria to be considered an unsportsmanlike foul.

While the crew chief is talking to the Technical Delegate, one of the umpires calls a technical foul to the Yellow team Head Coach, which cannot be seen in the video (only the whistle is heard).

After reporting all the fouls, the game is resumed with:
● 1 free-throw for any Blue team player for the technical foul called on the Yellow team head coach.
● 2 free-throws for Blue 26 for the foul by Yellow 24 (team foul penalty).
● 2 free-throws for Yellow 24 for the unsportsmanlike foul and the possession of the ball for the Yellow team from the throw-in line in their frontcourt and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Article 42.1: In the same game clock stopped period which follows an infraction, special situations may arise when additional infraction(s) are or have been committed.

Article 42.2.1: All fouls shall be charged, and all penalties identified.

Article 42.2.2: The order in which all infractions occurred shall be determined.

Article 42.2.4: If a technical foul is committed, that penalty shall be administered first, regardless of whether the order of the penalties has been determined or whether the administration of the penalties has been started.

Article 42.2.7: All remaining penalties shall be administered in the order in which they were committed.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. The free throw for the technical foul must be the first to be administered. Then, the penalties for both fouls must be administered in the order in which they occurred, 2 free throws for Blue 26, 2 free throws for Yellow 24 and ball possession for the Yellow team.

TC2: HAPOEL HOLON vs. UCAM MURCIA - Cylinder Play

White 31 finishes his dribble guarded by Purple 11. The referee calls a travelling violation to White 31.

Article 33.1: The defensive player may not enter the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball and cause an illegal contact when the offensive player is attempting a normal basketball play within his cylinder.
The boundaries of the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball are:
• The front by the feet, bent knees and arms, holding the ball above the hips,
• The rear by the buttocks, and
• The sides by the outer edge of elbows and legs.

The offensive player with the ball must be allowed enough space for a normal basketball play within his/her cylinder. The normal basketball play includes starting a dribble, pivoting, shooting, and passing.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. Purple 11 committed a foul for entering the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball causing an illegal contact. The game should have been resumed with a White team throw-in.