Euroleague sanctions Red Star for offensive chants
The Euroleague Basketball has decided to punish the Serbian club Red Star Belgrade with a financial sanction and another of a sporting nature. This action comes after a portion of the local fans insulted Kevin Punter, player of FC Barcelona, during a match. 🏀
Details of the disciplinary measures
The governing body of continental basketball has made public the ruling, which includes a fine of 8,000 euros. In addition, the sanction directly affects the next match the team plays in its arena, the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall.
The restrictions imposed are:- The maximum capacity allowed is reduced to eighty percent of the total capacity.
- Specific sectors of the stands in the well-known Pionir arena are ordered to be closed.
- This is not the first time the Euroleague applies its protocol for incidents with the public.
The Euroleague considers that these acts violate its code of conduct and harm the image of the competition.
The incident that motivated the sanction
The events occurred in the match pitting Red Star against Barça. From the stands, offensive chants were directed at the American point guard of the Catalan team. The Euroleague evaluates these events as a clear violation of its rules.
Immediate consequences for the club:- It will have to manage limited ticket sales for its next home game.
- The famous and noisy atmosphere of the arena will be noticeably subdued.
- The empty sectors will serve as a visible reminder of the sanction.
Impact on the sports atmosphere
With this decision, the Euroleague seeks to preserve the atmosphere in its events and send a clear message against any form of abuse. The next time Red Star hosts a rival in Belgrade, the scenario will be different, with stands partially silenced by order of the competent authority. ⚖️