Basketball Associations Condemn Owner's Remarks on Referee
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, criticized referee Spi Shemesh, sparking sharp condemnations from the Referees Association and the Basketball Association. The associations labeled Yanai's remarks as "incitement" and vowed to take legal action. Chairman Assaf Shalom defended Shemesh and stated there are no age limits for referees who meet professional standards.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ofer Yanai criticized referee Spi Shemesh, suggesting he was too old and unfit to officiate.
- The Referees Association and Basketball Association strongly condemned Yanai's remarks as "incitement."
- Assaf Shalom, Chairman of the Referees Association, defended Shemesh and called Yanai's comments an "insult."
- The Basketball Association stated it will use legal means to combat such "incitement" against referees.
- There are no age limits for referees in the Basketball Association, according to Chairman Shalom.
Ofer Yanai, the owner of the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team, sharply criticized referee Spi Shemesh on Tuesday, questioning his abilities and suggesting it was time for younger referees to take over. Yanai stated that Shemesh, 58, "barely moves, barely sees, barely notices what's happening." In response, the Referees Association, through its chairman Assaf Shalom, and the Basketball Association issued strong condemnations of Yanai's remarks.
The Basketball Association released a statement denouncing Yanai's comments as "incitement" and stating that they are working to eradicate physical and verbal violence in sports. They emphasized that this is not the first time Yanai has attacked referees and that the association will use all legal means to address the issue, asserting that referees' "blood is not forfeit."
Shalom, speaking on Sport 5, called Yanai's comments "personal insult" and "incitement." He defended Shemesh, calling the officiating in a recent game "outstanding" and suggesting that team owners should focus on their own teams. Shalom noted that the Referees Association files complaints with the Basketball Association's prosecutor regarding Yanai's actions, but cannot chase every statement he makes.
Shalom also addressed the issue of age limits, stating that there is no age limit in the Basketball Association. He explained that a previous age limit of 50 was abolished and is not in line with freedom of occupation laws. As long as a referee meets professional, medical, and physical fitness criteria, they can continue to officiate. He highlighted that Shemesh continues to officiate EuroCup and EuroLeague games weekly, while Yanai is focused on his team.
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