Zvezda file appeal for incidents in Game 3: 'After all this chaos, we have no right to remain silent' / News - Basketnews.com

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Partizan Belgrade took the ABA League derby, prevailing by 70-67 in Game 3 over Crvena Zvezda, in a contest that was once again marked by a series of events taking place on and off the court.

3-pointers this season

33%7,1Points made:7,1Accuracy:32,6%Place in standings:17Record max:14Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Ognjen DobricTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After Kevin Punter's big shot that sealed the outcome, fans began throwing objects at Crvena Zvezda's bench. The referees immediately suspended the game as both teams and the game officials headed to the locker room.

On the eve of that game, Partizan had issued a double statement in which both the club's president Ostoja Mijailovic and the team's head coach Zeljko Obradovic were addressing the fans, asking them to support the team in a sportsmanlike fashion.

Then, the ABA League issued another announcement clearing up the air on an officiating mistake against Partizan in the final seconds of Game 2.

Now, it's Zvezda's turn to complain about the incidents that took place on Wednesday night.

The club informs that it has already filed an appeal immediately after the end of Game 3.

"We will see what will happen because the chief referee Matej Boltauzer said that he 'doesn't know Cyrillic'. We believe that the technical commissioner Krneta knows Cyrillic and can translate it for him," the announcement reads.

However, in the same release, the reigning ABA League champs refer to several factors that hindered their chances of sweeping the series - and although Zeljko Obradovic isn't mentioned, there are many insinuations regarding his stance.

"KK Crvena Zvezda mts, after all the chaos seen in the third game of the finals, will not and has no right to remain silent."

The club explains that the reason for the complaint was the fact that "the millions of fans of our club, but also the basketball public, were forced to watch unpleasant scenes, cannon shots, chaos, players being insulted, our delegation being subjected to torture such as shooting with bags full of saliva, lighters, mobile phones, glass bottles".

Crvena Zvezda also refer to "conditions that made it impossible for a normal basketball game to be played", "referees being hit upon leaving the arena," and "an overcrowded (Aleksandar Nikolic) hall with almost 1,500 people more than the maximum capacity".

According to the Serbian club, the overflowing led to "huge condensation" and "a slippery floor."

"KK Crvena Zvezda demands that we be told publicly whether we 'must' give the title to the winningest coach (editor's note: Zeljko Obradovic) and whether, in doing so, we should endure what a normal person cannot endure during the three-hour chaos that began for us before the game had even started," the announcement continues.

"After the second game in which we were exposed to enormous pressure and public condemnation, we are only left to believe that in Game 4, everyone will come out alive.

Because there are some things more important than sports - but obviously not for Partizan NIS. From this moment on, everything that will happen in this final series, starting from the fourth game, will be the sole responsibility of the ABA League and those who organize the games hosted by Partizan NIS.

Let us remind you, as we have all been told, 'we should be human' and not hypocrites who talk about one thing and do another. We have had enough moral games in which the perpetrators play the victim.

We could see that on Wednesday night, but also during the press conference after something that could be called anything but a game.Hence, each one will take their share of responsibility."

Per the same announcement, this Thursday, Crvena Zvezda will present complete documentation of the facts that transpired on Wednesday night.

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