Crvena Zvezda's president, Zeljko Drcelic, called the game against Zalgiris a theft and called out the EuroLeague for the reffereeing.
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's loss to Zalgiris Kaunas on Wednesday has been the main topic in basketball circles so far. The Serbian team's president, Zeljko Drcelic, had his own opinion about what happened.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
20
|
| Sylvain Francisco | |
| Points | 15 |
| Accuracy | 4-9 |
| Rebounds | 2 |
| Assists | 7 |
Crvena Zvezda's head coach, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, even signed a protest in the middle of the fourth quarter after an unsuccessful challenge for supposed unsportsmanlike conduct against Nikola Kalinic by Alen Smailagic.
Sfairopoulos' post-game press conference address lasted only 11 seconds.
"How is it that everyone knows everything when the point difference is at 20, and whenever there's a tie, it's not basketball that decides the outcome but the referees? Maybe a diplomatic tone would be desirable, but that's for gentlemen and fair play. Here, we experience brutal thefts in front of millions of people, so I ask you - do the refs have the task of determining the winner, and who gives them these tasks?" Drcelic told Sportal.
Crvena Zvezda posted a game recap on Wednesday evening and called the game a shame and a disgrace. Sfairopoulos was proud of his players and called them winners.
"I can only tell them, 'Gentlemen, this will make Zvezda even stronger.' Kudos to our guys. We will always stand behind them. By their behavior, attitude towards the jersey and the game, they unequivocally deserved it. They know they're top professionals, [they know] why they weren't rewarded with a victory now or against Barcelona," Drcelic said.
"That's why I have to point out: Gentlemen from the Euroleague, what was done in the match with Barcelona and tonight is called theft in our country, so ask yourself if this has become a thieves' league. I'm ashamed of your nonsense," the Crvena Zvezda president declared.
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