MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all Basketball Champions League, powered by Ameresco SUNEL 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: Karditsa Iaponiki vs. Tofas Bursa - Interference
Green #25 finishes his layup and while the ball is bouncing around the rim, White #24 touches the ball. The referee calls an interference and awards two points to Green #25.
The White team Head Coach requests a Head Coach Challenge, after which the referees confirm the initial decision.
Article 31.2.4: Interference occurs when:
A defensive player touches the ball or the basket while the ball is within the basket, thus preventing the ball from passing through the basket.
Article 16.1.2: The ball is considered to be within the basket when the slightest part of the ball is within the basket and below the level of the ring.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.
Part of the ball was within the basket below the level of the ring, so White #24 committed an interference violation.
TC2: Rytas Vilnius vs. Galatasaray MCT Technic - Fake and foul
White #35 plays back to the basket guarded by Red #24. Red #24 falls down and a contact occurs with White #35. The referee calls a blocking foul to Red #24.
Article 33.16: Fake being fouled is any action by a player to simulate being fouled or to make theatrical exaggerated movements in order to create an opinion of being fouled and therefore gaining an advantage.
Article 33.9: Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent with or without the ball.
OBRI 36-12: A player may be charged with both a foul and a ‘fake a foul warning’ on any play, or the player who is fouled may also be charged with a ‘fake a foul warning.’
Outcome: On the one hand, correct decision by the referee as Red #24, while falling down, created a blocking foul on his opponent.
However, Red #24 first faked being fouled exaggerating the contact between White #35 and him and falling to the floor.
Along with being penalized with the foul, Red #24 and the Red team Head Coach should have received a fake a foul warning. The Red team would be charged with a technical foul if such a fake a foul action is repeated for the remaining of the game.
TC3: La Laguna Tenerife vs. Pallacanestro Trieste - Foul in transition
After establishing possession of the ball, Black #3 starts a transition. White #23 creates an illegal contact on Black #3 and the referee calls a personal foul to Black #3.
Article 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Contact with an opponent not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.
An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
An illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket, and
the progressing player is in control of the ball, or
the progressing player is attempting to gain control of the ball, or
the ball has been released on a pass to the progressing player.
This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
Article 37.1.2: The referee must interpret unsportsmanlike fouls consistently throughout the game and judge only the action.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.
White #23 created an illegal contact accidentally, and this contact did not meet any of the criteria to be considered as unsportsmanlike foul. The game with be resumed with a Black team throw-in.