By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Citing instances of repeated infractions of the competition by-laws, the Disciplinary Judge has ordered that the next Olympiacos home game in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague be played without spectators. He has also fined the club €15,000 for the use by fans of illegal flares and firecrackers, which is prohibited under Article 29.1 of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code. The judge made specific emphasis to the list of violations recurring at Olympiacos home games during recent seasons and on the potential physical danger to fans, players and game officials due to the ongoing violations.
“The Disciplinary Judge is convinced that the said flares and firecrackers represented a real safety hazard for the spectators,” he wrote. “A club such as Olympiacos Piraeus should be well aware that the use of any pyrotechnic device must be prohibited at all cost in an arena full of people. Anything that involves fire, flames or powder is never risk-free and Olympiacos Piraeus should be glad – and consider itself lucky – that the incidents did not cause any damage or harm.”
Additionally, the judge cited Article 29.2 of the disciplinary code in fining Olympiacos 17,500 for an invasion of the playing area by spectators after the game. Again, he referenced previous citations against the club for the same violations when announcing the sanction.