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: Peristeri Domino's vs. UCAM Murcia - FOUL AND GOALTENDING
Red 19 receives the ball under the basket and shoots. Lead referee calls a foul to yellow 22 and then Centre referee calls a goaltending and awards the basket.
Article 31.2.1 Goaltending occurs during a shot for a goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:
It is on its downward flight to the basket
Article 31.2.5 When: A referee has blown the whistle while the ball was:
In the hands of a player in the act of shooting, or
In flight on a shot for a goal or on a last free throw.
No player shall touch the ball after it has touched the ring while it still has the possibility to enter the basket.
All restrictions related to goaltending and interference shall apply.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The ball was in its downwards flight to the basket when it was touched by Yellow 3. All restrictions related to goaltending and interference apply, even if the referee had blown his whistle to call the foul.
TC2: Galatasaray vs. ERA Nymburk - FAKE
White 7 receives the ball in the corner and drives to the basket. He jumps to shoot and lands, falling to the floor. The referee call a technical foul to White 7 as the White Team had already received a warning for faking being fouled before.
Article 33.16 Fake 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.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. White 7 landed on a player who had established a legal guarding position on the court before the shooter jumped off the floor. White 7 didn’t exaggerate the contact, just fell on the floor to protect himself. There is no fake being fouled and the game should have continued.
TC3: Galatasaray vs. ERA Nymburk - FOUL AWAY FROM THE BALL
White 0 misses a shot. White 61 gets the rebound and passes the ball back to White 0 who shoots a second time. Nearly at the same time, White 61 sets a screen on Black 19. The referee calls an offensive foul and cancels the basket.
The White Team Head Coach requests a Head Coach Challenge as he understands that the ball had already been released for the shot when the contact occurred. After the IRS review, the referees confirm the initial decision.
Article 33.7 Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:
Was moving when contact occurred.
Article 16.1.1 A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains within or passes through the basket entirely.
Article 10.3 The ball becomes dead when:
A referee blows the whistle while the ball is live.
Article 10.4 The ball does not become dead and the goal counts if made when:
The ball is in flight on a shot for a goal and a referee blows the whistle.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The ball was still in White 0’s hands when White 61 created an illegal screen on Black 19. Therefore, the ball becomes dead, so the basket is not valid.
TC4: Hapoel Holon vs. Nanterre 92 - FOUL AND FAKE
Yellow 4 pushes his defender to get some extra space to receive the ball. The referee calls an offensive foul to Yellow 4.
Article 33.16 Fake 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.
OBRI 36-12 Whenever a player fakes being fouled, the following procedure shall apply:
All faking to be fouled situations shall be addressed, regardless of whether fouls or violations are called or not in the same situation.
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: The foul was correctly called by the referee. However, Black 13 exaggerated the contact created by Yellow 4 with an unnatural motion and, in addition to the offensive foul against Yellow 4, the referee should charge Black 13 with a fake warning, if the Black team’s first fake warning, or a technical foul if this was Black team’s second fake warning.
TC5: FMP SoccerBet vs. Manisa Basket - FAKE
Black 99 dribbles the ball guarded by White 10. Black 1 sets a screen and after calling a personal foul to White 13, the White Team also receives a fake warning against White 10.
Article 33.16 Fake 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.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. White 10 did not fake being fouled, his reaction was created by the contact to his head, against the screener.