Penalty for KK Sutjeska coach - Dusan Dubljevic

After last night game which played in Prishtina, KB Sigal Prishtina vs KK Sutjeska, finished with the result of  99-92 to KB Sigal Prishtina, during the official press conference which took place after the game, KK Sutjeska′s head coach - Mr. Dusan Dubljevic, gave an official statement against the referees and the league. This is not the first time but hopefully that it will be the last time that Mr. Dubljevic will make a statement against the referees and the league without any reason and only to justified the lost of his team. This is what will follow:

The Sports Director Shay Shtriks announced today: "After reading the official statement of KK Sutjeska′s head coach - Mr. Dusan Dubljevic, after last night game in Prishtina, I decided to penalize him according to the official regulations of BIBL with the amount of 2,000 EUR and if he will do it again then the maximum penalty of 3,000 EUR will be imposed along with 1 game not to lead his team. ("Art. 11.1.2. If a player, coach, assistant coach makes comments, criticizes, offends or disrespects the referees, commissioner or table officials in public and/or in front of the media, a fine up to EUR 3000 shall be imposed.")

It is not acceptable whenever KK Sutjeska lost a game the head coach had bad remarks against the officiating in the Balkan League. Why Mr. Dusan Dubljevic did not complain when he won the most important game of the his team this season from the regular season against KK Teodo?

The referees and commissioners during all season have respected KK Sutjeska both during home and away games. In EUROHOLD Balkan League the teams are responsible for the results of the games and not the referees. It is very easy to put the blame on the referees and the league. It is more difficult to take responsibility as a coach for your loss. This is not our way and I will protect our referees and commissioners because they are doing professional job, officiating all the games in the most clean, fair and correct way. They made mistakes and they will make mistakes. But they are not different than the players and coaches who are also doing a lot of mistakes every game.

Each game in the Balkan League, including last night′s game, is observed by two official instructors and of course by me as a Sports Director. Each referee, whatever the result happens to be, is getting the proper feedback afterwards.

Last night′s game was officiated at a very good level and the two teams had the same possibility to win the game. The result of the game was not decided by the referees. The result of the game was decided by the players and the coaches.

I do hope that coming to the final stage of the season the coaches and the players will be concentrated how to win the game and not how to criticize the referees. This is absolutely only the job of the league. All FIBA referees officiating the games in the Balkan League are doing their best to provide every evening the most professional, correct and fair officiating and I will not tolerate and agree that after every game that team that lost through its coach or other team member will attack the referees.

I wish to all the teams in the Balkan League great games and may the best team will win."