Basketball Association Condemns Owner's Incitement Against Referee
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
The Israel Basketball Association has strongly condemned Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, for his public criticism of referee Spi Shemesh, labeling his remarks as "incitement." Association Chairman Assaf Shalom defended Shemesh, stating the referees are not affected by Yanai's comments and that Shemesh is a highly regarded official officiating international games. The association is pursuing legal action against Yanai for repeated inappropriate statements and confirmed there are no age limits for referees who meet professional standards.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Basketball Association condemns Ofer Yanai's "incitement" against referee Spi Shemesh.
- Yanai claimed 58-year-old Shemesh is unfit to officiate, calling for younger referees.
- Association Chairman Assaf Shalom defended Shemesh, calling him a top official.
- Shalom stated Yanai's comments are "incitement" and the association will take legal action.
- Shemesh is currently officiating EuroCup and EuroLeague games.
- The Basketball Association has no age limit for referees meeting professional criteria.
Ofer Yanai, owner of the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team, has been sharply criticized for his remarks about referee Spi Shemesh. Yanai stated that Shemesh, aged 58, "barely moves, barely sees, barely notices what's happening" and that it's time for him to "make way for young and talented referees." The Basketball Association issued a strong condemnation of Yanai's statements, calling them "incitement" and stating that the referees' "blood is not forfeit." The association vowed to use all legal means to eradicate such verbal and physical violence in sports.
Assaf Shalom, Chairman of the Referees Association, dismissed Yanai's comments, saying, "We stopped paying attention to every statement from this man; he is not our professional compass, nor our personal compass." Shalom praised Shemesh's performance, calling the game they officiated "amazing, perhaps one of the greatest ever," and that the officiating team did an "outstanding job." He suggested team owners should focus on their own teams rather than attacking referees.
Shalom further elaborated on the association's actions, noting that they file complaints against Yanai's behavior with the Basketball Association's prosecutor, who has brought him and his team to trial multiple times. He emphasized that the association cannot pursue every statement made by Yanai, as it is not their role. "Neither this gentleman nor anyone else will cause us to deviate from our path," Shalom asserted, adding that Shemesh is Yanai's "last problem." He wished for ten more referees like Shemesh, highlighting that Shemesh is currently traveling to officiate EuroCup and EuroLeague games.
Regarding age limits for referees, Shalom clarified that the Basketball Association has no age restrictions. He mentioned that a previous age limit of 50, from a 2012 agreement, was abolished and does not align with the freedom of occupation law. As long as a referee meets professional, medical, and physical fitness criteria, they will continue to officiate.
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