Basketball federation chief backs referees amid lawsuits

Amid a lawsuit filed by Ofer Yanai against the referees’ association, Israel Basketball Association chairman Amos Frischman sent a letter on Wednesday in support of the referees. He said that in the past week two personal lawsuits had been filed against basketball referees and officials at the referees’ association by a team owner who, he wrote, had already presented his claims to the association’s bodies and been rejected at every level.

Frischman said the federation views the lawsuits “very seriously” and sees them as an improper attempt to overturn professional decisions outside the accepted framework of the sport. He noted that this comes during what he called the peak week of Israeli basketball, when referees and association officials are focused on managing the championship-deciding games as professionally as possible.

He added that outside pressure must not be allowed to affect officiating independence or the proper functioning of Israeli basketball. Frischman said he intends to use all tools available to the federation to stop the current conduct and prevent it from happening again, and that the Israel Basketball Association fully backs the referees and officials who were sued and will provide them with all necessary support.

Frischman praised Israeli basketball referees for working professionally, diligently and responsibly under difficult pressure, and said they deserve to continue without fear. He also called on association board members to stand united behind the officiating system, protect its independence and strengthen trust in the professionals running the games. He ended by thanking the referees for their contribution, dedication and commitment to the sport.