Crvena Zvezda threaten to forfeit ABA League playoffs asking for referees' exemption / News - Basketnews.com

Crvena Zvezda issued an announcement, expressing their indignation over the officiating in Partizan's game against Buducnost, asking for all three referees' exemption from their upcoming playoff outings.

Credit: Crvena Zvezda mts/Djordje Kostic Credit Crvena Zvezda mts/Djordje Kostic

In a scathing statement, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade complain about the officiating in Buducnost's game against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, which brought their rivals to first place in the ABA League, threatening to leave if their demands are not met.

3-pointers this season

34%8,3Points made:8,3Accuracy:33,8%Place in standings:15Record max:15Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Luca VildozaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Partizan's 83-82 victory over Buducnost in Podgorica provoked a strong reaction from Zvezda, who issued a harsh statement, asking for the exclusion of certain referees from their games, while threatening to forfeit their playoff games if their request will not be granted.

The reason for the announcement-which bears the title "What a steal!" was Partizan's victory in Podgorica, where Kevin Kevin Punter made the game-winning free throw.

Zeljko Obradovic's team locked the first place in the regular season and the home-court advantage in the playoffs. According to Red Star, the referees - for whom the club also raises the question of their origin, since they were Slovenians - altered the game, something that had a direct consequence for them as well, since that result sealed their second place in the regular season.

As a result, Crvena Zvezda asked that referees Matej Boltauser, Saso Petek and Mario Mikic be exempt from their next games, even threatening that if they get chosen, then they won't participate in the playoffs or the finals of the Adriatic League.

"Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet does not usually make announcements after games in which it was not a direct participant, but since the game that was played in Podgorica on Friday night directly affected the final outcome and schedule on the table, and after another theft and robbery directed by those who should only be part of the game and not the protagonists, we will not be silent," the release reads.

"This is another step towards the complete destruction of the regularity of the league, which is directed by referees, who accidentally or not – always come from the same country.

Since we no longer need any indication of what awaits us in the finals of the ABA League, especially with people who have long shown a tendency towards KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, and since we will not participate in directed plays and farces, we hereby inform the public and the management of the league that KK Crvena Zvezda requires the exemption of such referees until the end of this season," the Serbian club mentions.

"Also, since in the past, we have extremely well-meaningly warned the management of the league, which observed and remained silent about all anomalies in this matter, we hereby announce that we will not play in the playoffs and finals (if we reach them) if such referees are delegated to us at any game.

This has gone too far, and now it has truly exceeded all measures," Zvezda conclude.

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