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: BK KVIS Pardubice vs. Unicaja - Personal and Flagrant Foul
Green #24 dribbles near the top of the key and drives hard into the paint past White #4, who creates illegal contact with his hands.
As Green #24 continues his movement, White #4 makes another contact on Green #24.
The referee calls a personal foul not in the act of shooting on White #4 for illegal use of hands, which is the first team foul of the quarter, followed by a flagrant foul on White #4.
Article 38.1.1: A flagrant foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent, which violates the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, and by its nature and/or the severity level exceeds the limits of a personal or disruptive foul. The criteria for flagrant fouls are the following:
Not a legitimate basketball play against an opponent, with or without a ball.
Article 32.1.3: If a foul is committed after the ball has become dead when
the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or each overtime,
an infraction is committed,
it shall be disregarded unless it is a technical, flagrant or disqualifying foul.
Article 43.2.5: The right to possession of the ball as part of the last penalty to be administered shall cancel any prior rights to possession of the ball.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.
The first foul, hand-checking, is committed before the act of shooting starts. Therefore, as the White team is not yet in team foul penalty, the penalty is a throw-in for the Green Team.
However, the second contact by White #4 meets one of the criteria for the flagrant foul and cannot be disregarded. The penalty for the flagrant foul is two free throws for Green #24 and a Green team throw-in at the throw-in line in its frontcourt, with 14 seconds on the shot clock.
Therefore, this flagrant foul penalty cancels the throw-in awarded for White #4's personal foul.
TC2: AEK BC vs. Windrose Giants Antwerp - No Basket Interference
Yellow #3 drives past defenders into the lane and attempts a moving shot.
After the ball fails to enter the basket, Yellow #2 jumps, taps the ball, and then touches the ring before finally dunking the ball.
The referee cancels the basket, calling an offensive basket interference.
Article 31.2.4: Basket interference occurs when:
After a shot for a goal or the last free throw a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring.
A player causes the basket to vibrate or grasps the basket (ring and/or net) in such a way that causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce or to change direction, thus the ball is prevented from entering the basket or is caused to enter the basket.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee.
First, when Yellow #2 touches the basket, the ball is not in contact with the ring.
Second, Yellow #2 touching the ring does not cause the basket to vibrate in such a way that causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce or to change direction, thus causing the ball to enter the basket.
Therefore, no offensive basket interference occurs and the basket should count.
TC3: AEK BC vs. Windrose Giants Antwerp - Offensive Foul
Following a successful field goal, Black #9 receives the ball and starts his dribble while guarded by Yellow #7.
Black #9 makes his move and extends his left arm, hitting defender Yellow #7.
The referee calls a team control foul (offensive foul) on Black #9.
Article 33.11: It is a foul by an offensive player with the ball to use an extended forearm or hand, while dribbling, to prevent an opponent from gaining control of the ball.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.
Black #9 creates illegal contact against his defender with his extended arm. The game shall be resumed with a Yellow team throw-in at the place closest to where the infraction occurs.