Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has reduced the ban recently imposed on three league players – Warriors’ Amisi ‘Carmelo’ Saidi and Betway Power duo Geoffrey Soro and Philip Ameny.
The technical committee had earlier banned Soro 25 games and asked to pay a fine of $300. While Carmelo and Ameny were both initially suspended for 10 games and a fine of $150.
The developments had followed ugly scenes that had occurred in a National Basketball League encounter between Power and Warriors on Friday, July 26 at YMCA.
Consequently, both clubs showed discontent in the ruling and filed in their appeals.
After an outcry, FUBA’s arbitration tribunal reviewed the video and reduced Soro’s ban to a 30-day suspension and will pay $150 only.
Carmelo and Ameny will be sidelined for 21 days with the former paying $150.
Detailed Ruling:
*Geoffrey Soro
The Tribunal finds that the conduct of Soro Geoffrey did not constitute a fight or acts of a violent nature in accordance with Art 7.01(b) (i).
However, the tribunal finds that the conduct of Soro Geoffrey disrupted the game and brought the game of basketball into disrepute in accordance with Art 7.01(b) (ii).
The tribunal also finds that the conduct of Soro Geoffrey was unsportsmanlike in accordance with Art 7.01(b) (iii) as his actions were unbecoming to the image of basketball.
The tribunal was also mindful that the player was ejected from the game which was punishment for his unsportsmanlike manner.
The Tribunal therefore upholds the decision of TC/CC in finding Soro Geoffrey’s conduct in breach of Art. 7.01 (b)(ii) and Art.7.01 (b)(iii) however TC/CC erred in finding Soro Geoffrey’s actions in breach of Article 7.01(b)(i) and as such the tribunal overturns that decision.
In accordance with Art 7.01(e) of the FUBA 2019 competition rules and regulation the tribunal serves Soro Geoffrey with a fine of $ 150 or its equivalent in Uganda shillings and a suspension for 30days. The suspension will begin to run after payment of the fine.
*Amisi Saidi
The tribunal finds that the conduct of Amisi Saidi disrupted the game and brought the game of basketball into disrepute in accordance with Art 7.01(b) (ii). The tribunal reviewed video evidence of the game and found that Amisi’s actions were pivotal to the scuffle that ensued as he kept trying to confront Soro even up to following him up to the Power bench. However, the tribunal is mindful that the player was ejected from the game which was also a form of punishment.
The Tribunal therefore upholds the decision of TC/CC in finding Amisi Saidi’s conduct in breach of Art. 7.01 (b)(ii) and in accordance with Art. 7.01(e) of the FUBA 2019 competition rules and regulation the tribunal serves Amisi Saidi with a fine of $150 or its equivalent in Uganda shillings and a suspension for 21days. The suspension will begin to run after payment of the fine.
*Philip Ameny
The tribunal finds that TC/CC erred in finding the conduct of Ameny Phillip in breach of Art. 7.01(b) (ii) as his conduct did not disrupt the game or bring the game into disrepute.
The tribunal noted that the incident that informed the decision happened much later and was separate from the earlier scuffle and as such does not carry as much weight as it was not part of or a continuation of that chain of events.
The tribunal reviewed game video and also relied on testimony from the game officials who agreed that his act was unsportsmanlike although it was missed by them and the player should not suffer for their inadequacy.
The Tribunal therefore overturns the decision of TC/CC in finding Ameny Phillip’s conduct in breach of Article 7.01(b) (ii) but rather in breach of Article 7.01(b)(iii) and in accordance with Art 7.01(f) of the FUBA 2019 competition rules and regulation serves Ameny Phillip with a suspension for 21days.
