By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Israeli Basketball Premier League has issued an official statement following Thursday’s ruling by the Basketball Association’s Appeals Tribunal, which awarded Hapoel Jerusalem a technical loss in the suspended semifinal game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The decision overturned an earlier ruling that had ordered a replay of the contest, which was interrupted in the fourth quarter due to security concerns. As a result, Hapoel Tel Aviv now officially leads the best-of-five semifinal series 2-0.
In its statement, the league fully backed the tribunal’s decision:
“Following the decision of the Basketball Association’s Appeals Tribunal to award a technical loss to Hapoel Jerusalem:
We are fully aware of the complexity of the situation and the exceptional circumstances under which all parties are operating during this period. Precisely because of this, it is impossible to accept a situation in which a team takes matters into its own hands and acts contrary to binding decisions and instructions.
Compliance with the rules of the game, the regulations, and the decisions of the competent authorities applies equally to all teams, without exception, and the tribunal’s decision clearly reflects this principle.
In accordance with the ruling, tonight’s game between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem will be Game 3 of the playoff semifinal series, with Hapoel Tel Aviv holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup.”
Hapoel Jerusalem had refused to resume the suspended game after authorities approved its continuation without spectators.
The Appeals Tribunal ultimately ruled that the club was solely responsible for the game’s abandonment and imposed a technical defeat, putting Jerusalem on the brink of elimination ahead of Game 3 at Menora Mivtachim Arena.
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