Crvena Zvezda has received another penalty from EuroLeague, this time due to inappropriate fan behavior during the game against Zalgiris.
The team from Belgrade was defeated after a suspenseful ending with a score of 93:91. This result keeps them at a negative record of 10-16 in the elite competition after 26 rounds played. Although theoretically there are still chances for a play-in, it would be nothing short of a miracle for Crvena Zvezda to secure a spot among the top ten teams at the end of the regular season.
The disciplinary committee showed no mercy for the disturbances in the stands. Everything unfolded towards the end of the match when Keenan Evans was fouled, although it seemed that he had previously stepped on the center line. Such a decision by the refereeing trio directly influenced the events in the closing moments.
Before EuroLeague penalized the Crvena Zvezda team, they reviewed the entire situation and concluded that Crvena Zvezda was not disadvantaged, and that the referees were correct in their decision. Nevertheless, they were fined financially. The first time they received a penalty, it was five thousand euros, while this time, due to a more serious violation and the fact that it was a repeated offense, the fine is 30 thousand euros. If they wish to appeal, they have ten calendar days after the announcement of the penalty to do so.
Ioannis Sfairopoulos’s team will have a slightly longer break from EuroLeague. In the coming days, they will compete in the Radivoj Korac Cup, where they will defend the title they won the previous year.