Partizan could face relegation to Serbia's third division for forfeiting the league's playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Dragana Stjepanovic

Partizan NIS Belgrade's decision to withdraw from the Serbian League playoffs as a form of protest against violence and incidents of hooliganism recorded during the Adriatic League finals, may have serious repercussions for the Serbian powerhouse.

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Based on Article 36 of the Serbian League rules, Partizan are threatened with relegation to the third division. The case is under the jurisdiction of the disciplinary judge, and hence, two Disciplinary Commissions have been formed - one is under the auspices of the Basketball Association of Serbia, and the other is under the jurisdiction of the country's Basketball League.

The chairman of the Serbian Basketball League, Aleksandar Grujin, didn't conceal his surprise talking to Sportal.

"Honestly, we are very surprised by this decision. There is absolutely no single reason for such a thing. It has caused huge damage to Serbian basketball, the league, but also to the state of Serbia, which invests a lot in our sport," Grujin said.

He also emphasized that because of all this, Partizan should expect that sanctions be imposed upon the club, according to the statute and rules of the competition. He also clarified that the decision will be made by the Disciplinary Judge Dragutin Ilic, who is completely independent in his work.

"As far as we are concerned, the presidency and members of the league will decide on the issue. This is a great shame. All acts and articles of the rulebook will be applied," Grujin stressed.

According to the Serbian League's president, to this day, not a single remark by Partizan has reached the league address. Instead, he claims that he learned about the club's decision from the media.

"There was no official request from Partizan. However, at some point in April, a campaign against the league started in the media. I don't know if it is connected with the club not achieving its goals, but it started after the game against Bursaspor," he observed.

Grujin also said that, in accordance with the rules, the games between Partizan and FMP Belgrade will go down as 20-0 wins for FMP, while the contests between Crvena Zvezda and Mega Basket will be played according to plan.

In addition, the Serbian Basketball League issued an official announcement, criticizing Partizan's decision.

"The Basketball League of Serbia is very unpleasantly surprised and very disappointed with the decision of BC Partizan NIS to withdraw from the competition. The decision, which is scandalous in itself, is additionally incorrect, since it was officially announced just before the start of the semifinals of the playoff series.

Partizan NIS caused great damage to Serbian basketball with its decision. We believe that the decision to give up the competition is disrespectful to the state of Serbia, especially at a time when the state allocates huge funds to sports - and especially to basketball and Partizan NIS.

The Basketball League of Serbia is forced to take all necessary measures that are in accordance with the provisions of the acts that regulate a club's withdrawal from the competition.

The basketball public will be informed about all future steps of the League in a timely manner," the announcement states.

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