Up-T-Hoop

DISCIPLINARY REPORT FORM

Competition: EBL DIVISION ONE MEN............................Match No: 112................ Date: 28/07/05

Team A: TAUNTONS TORNADOES................................. Team B: SHEFFIELD STEALERS

Referee 1: ROBERT SMITH..............................................Referee 2: LAURA JACKSON

Referee 3: JOHN BROOKS

Report by: ROBERT SMITH ........................(Match Official)

Re: conduct of: DAVE ROBERTS................ Team: TORNADOES.................... License No: 1245

In the first minute of the first quarter I was the trail official, TEAM A were on offence, attacking the basket in front of their team bench. One of TEAM A players shot a three point shot, a TEAM B player attempted to defend the shot. The TEAM A player landed on two feet then immediately fell backwards. I had a good view of the play and in my opinion there was no contact between the two players. The TEAM coach, NAME, immediately started to jump up and down and shouted "THAT'S A FOUL. CALL THE FOUL" The manner in which he did this was, in my view, was verbal and visual dissent. I awarded him a Technical Foul.

In the tenth minute of the fourth quarter I was the lead official. A time out had Just been called following a foul on a TEAM B player. Two free throw's were to follow to TEAM A. I was again at the end in front of the TEAM A bench. A few seconds into the time out I was shouted by COACH A who was stood at the end of the team bench, near to the end line, I walked over to COACH A. COACH A asked me to give an explanation for an out of bounds decision (which I had called). I started to explain the call, however as soon as I had started to do this COACH A turned his back on me and started to walk away. As he did so I said "'FAIR ENOUGH", and started to walk away. As I did COACH A immediately turned around lifted his arms and threw them down. As he did this he said to me "YOUR PATHETIC" In my view this was verbal and visual dissent. I awarded him a Technical Foul. This disqualified him from the remainder of the game.

The foul was then administered with the scorer. I then went to take my position on the centre line opposite the table. I then noticed that COACH A was still stood at the end of his teams bench (table side). I approached COACH A and politely informed him that he had to leave the Arena. I observed COACH A as he started to leave. However he did stop to speak to people behind the scorers table. One of these people then led COACH A to the exit door at the rear of the scorers table.

Post Game Incident

At the point Coach NAME was disqualified there were 5 seconds left to play in the game. TEAM Btook their free throws and secured possession of the ball to run out the play.

At the final buzzer I immediately went to my co-official and went immediately to the corner of the court opposite the table. Whilst stood there and within a minute of the final buzzer sounding I saw COACH storming onto the court towards us. COACH A immediately approached me. COACH A was demanding explanations for calls that I had made, one of which I had attempted to explain previously but he refused to listen. I informed COACH A was happy to speak to him later. COACH A was very animated. He stepped into our path as we tried to walk past him. Fortunately one of his players (NAME) came over and physically pulled COACH A away from us. At the same point three known basketball officials not connected with the club and not Involved in the game came onto the court. These officials escorted myself and my co-official from the court. It saddens me to report that whilst we were being escorted from the court I was physically jostled by spectators who had been allowed to enter the playing area. A number of spectators took the opportunity to express their opinions at us from a distance that was, in my opinion, too close to call. Had it not been for the assistance provided by the other Officials present on the night I feel that the safety of myself and my colleague could have been well and truly compromised.
In the closing sessions· and at the conclusion of the game there was no evidence whatsoever of any stewards to assist the officials or to control the spectators leaving the venue. In fairness I must add that I have officiated at this venue on a number of occasions. Can all the previous occasions the level of stewarding has been very good.

Prior to leaving the venue I did speak with COACH A in an area away from the public. At this time I was asked to explain calls I had made towards the end of the game. The conversation was amicable, but was very much a case of 'agree to disagree'. I explained to COACH A that procedures would now have to be followed and that he would be given the opportunity to put his views forward. At this point ASSISTANT COACH started to express his opinions in a manner· that I did not consider appropriate in the circumstances. I informed them both that I did not believe to be in anybody's interest to continue with the conversation. I then left the Centre.

This report has been compiled using notes that were compiled as soon as was practicable after the event. The notes can be produced at the request of the appropriate authority. 1 can identify the notes by way of my signature.

Signed ................... Dated .

This form should be used in the case of a disqualification or other disciplinary matter, or in the case of an official wishing to draw attention to any other matter associated with the match, which may result in disciplinary action. The contents of this form are confidential and should not be shown or otherwise divulged to any other person.

The report must be sent to Nicky Brown at England Basketball nickybrown@englandbasketball.co.uk within 72 hours of the incident.

England Basketball c/o English Institute of Sport Coleridge Road Sheffield S9 SDA