EuroLeague Disciplinary Judge made an exception in Partizan-Real case / News - Basketnews.com

EuroLeague Bylaws state that at least a 3-game ban should have been given to all four players for their misconduct that was deemed serious. However, only Guerschon Yabusele received a penalty according to what the rules state.

Credit: Jesus Orihuela/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Jesus Orihuela/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

A violent fight broke out in Game 2 between Real Madrid and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. The day after the match, the EuroLeague suspended four players. It now seems the decision was done making an exception to the league's rules.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Mathias Lessort Points 10 Accuracy 4-6 Rebounds 9 Assists 1

Guerschon Yabusele received the biggest sanction of all four players - he was given a 5-game ban in the tournament. The case with the remaining three players gets more interesting.

Kevin Punter received a 2-game penalty while Gabriel Deck and Mathias Lessort were each given a 1-game ban. Curiously, the Article cited for the misconduct was 27.1a) for all four culprits.

Article 27.1a) of the EuroLeague Bylaws states that the players were sanctioned due to "Physical aggression against a member of the officiating crew, another Individual, the public, a fan, or any person in general." This infringement is classified as a serious offense.

Article 28.1 details the sanctions for serious offenses. According to Article 28.1c), the players should have received "Temporary disqualification from the Euroleague Basketball competitions for a period from one to four years or for three or more games."

It means that the trio of Punter, Deck, and Lessort should have gotten at least a 3-game suspension for their misconduct that the EuroLeague classified as serious. However, only Yabusele got punished according to what the rulebook says.

However, the Euroleague adopted Article 14 of the Disciplinary Code which allows to hand a smaller fine than the bylaws originally state:

When applying fines, the hearing bodies at their own discretion will set the amount between the minimum and maximum limits established for each case, taking into account the related facts and circumstances and applying the principle of proportionality. In the event that extenuating factors and circumstances apply in case of serious infringements, the hearing bodies may set the amount below the minimum limits established.

Interesting that the Article 14 exception only applies to handing out fines and not suspensions. It seems that the Disciplinary Judge made an extra exception, which may not be stated in the rules.

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