GABA rules on basketball brawl -player banned, clubs fined
Edison Jefford
Stabroek News
December 31, 2006
Ravens and national forward, Damian Liverpool was slapped with a four-game ban while his team along with Pepsi Sonics will pay $5000 each before their next scheduled game for their role in a brawl at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) released the ruling on the matter to the two clubs on Friday while Stabroek Sport was privy to a copy, compliments of GABA yesterday.
The document is the ruling on a fight that was allegedly initiated by Liverpool during the GABA ongoing Georgetown League tournament at the Sports Hall.
According to the ruling, the rules of the game are developed to ensure a balance blend of sportsmanship, recreation, skill, development and competitive activity; in keeping with the true nature of sport and to promote fair play. "GABA takes the responsibility of maintaining such rules and discipline in the game very serious; as a result, we have developed several new measures to ensure a sound disciplinary process is followed and maintained by all participants," the document states.
"The incident in question between Ravens and Pepsi Sonics on November 15, 2006, is considered to be a very serious infraction, since it is recognized that a number of serious violations were committed against the rule of play". The seven-point ruling is as follows: after careful consideration of the referees' report, taking on board the account of both teams and after talking to several eye witnesses to the incident.
1. For his action of holding another player by the neck with the intent to cause harm.
*Mr. Damean Liverpool is suspended for one game.
2. For punching another player with the fist which could result in serious bodily harm. *Mr. Damean Liverpool is suspended for three games.
* Mr. Liverpool will miss a total of four games, which will run consecutively.
3. For his role as an active participant in the instigation of this infraction.
*Mr. Hollinsworth Casey is suspended for one game.
4. For his role as an active participant in the instigation of this infraction.
*Mr. Ryan Melville is suspended for one game.
5. For going onto the court and getting involved as a supporter of Ravens.
* Mr. Dion Liverpool is not allowed to sit on Ravens bench at no time for the remainder of this league.
6. For their shared role in bringing the game into disrepute, both Ravens and Pepsi Sonics clubs will pay a fine of five thousand dollars ($5000) each to the association, before being allowed to play their next scheduled game.
7. For their action of leaving the confines of the playing area during the infraction several players (from both teams) will face disqualification. Both clubs are required to cooperate with the GABA to determine who those players are. A ruling on the official outcome of the game in question will follow soon.
This decision has only dealt with one aspect of the whole question of discipline in the game, that's the players/teams conduct. The other area that is of serious concern to GABA is the deteriorating state of officiating that presently confronts the game of basketball. This situation requires an immediate remedy if situations like these are to be prevented. The role of the officials must not be taken lightly, since they are the ones directly responsible for the 'checks and the balance' of the game. We welcome all useful recommendations as we earnestly try to rectify this problem.
NB. This ruling can be appealed by any of the parties involved.