EuroLeague Considers Replay Center to Streamline Officiating
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
The EuroLeague is considering a new officiating system, proposed by analyst Tod Worneck, to reduce lengthy game times caused by courtside monitor reviews. The system would involve a central Replay Center staffed by senior referees, similar to the NBA model. This comes after a recent derby between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv, which lasted over two and a half hours due to multiple video reviews. The proposal aims to improve accuracy and efficiency by removing on-court pressure from officiating decisions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- EuroLeague may adopt a central Replay Center to speed up officiating and reduce game times.
- The proposal aims to fix the current "broken" courtside monitor review system.
- A recent derby game lasted over two and a half hours due to multiple video reviews.
- The new system would involve senior referees analyzing plays from a central location.
- The NBA's replay center model is cited as a successful precedent for the proposed change.
The EuroLeague is exploring a new officiating system, potentially ending the reliance on courtside monitors, following a lengthy and controversial game between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The derby, which Maccabi won 80-73, lasted approximately two and a half hours, with numerous stoppages for video reviews. The extended game time highlights a growing trend in EuroLeague basketball, where games are becoming progressively longer.
Officiating analyst and former referee Tod Worneck proposed a solution adopted successfully in the NBA: establishing a dedicated EuroLeague Replay Center. Under this system, instead of referees on the court repeatedly reviewing plays, they would communicate with a central hub staffed by senior referees. These central officials would analyze plays from multiple angles, aiming to reduce errors and the pressure associated with on-court reviews.
Worneck stated that the current monitor system is "broken" and leads to too many mistakes. He advocates for moving the review process to a separate location, free from crowd noise and the pressure for immediate decisions. The proposal aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of officiating.
The referees for the Maccabi-Hapoel Tel Aviv game were head referee Carlos Peruga, Ilija Belosevic, and Jordi Aliaga. Belosevic and Peruga are experienced officials who have officiated in the 2024 and 2025 Final Fours. Aliaga was involved in a controversial call during a Red Star Belgrade versus Zalgiris Kaunas game that led to objects being thrown onto the court, though the article implies this was a separate incident.
The article also briefly mentions an "heroic" performance by Yam Madar, who played with a broken nose during the derby.
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