SVGBF refutes claims by Fergusson

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF) Cleophas Glynn, on behalf of his executive, is refuting claims made by Orlando Fergusson, Captain and Coach of the Mattafix Basketball team, which appeared in the June 8 edition of the SEARCHLIGHT newspaper.{{more}}

Furthermore, the Executive of the SVGBF is contemplating disciplinary action against Fergusson and his team.

Fergusson made several comments in reference to an incident at the New Montrose Basketball Facility, on the night of Sunday, June 3, at the staging of the final of the National Lotteries Authority National Club Championships.

The game ended prematurely, as the Playaz team refused to continue with the match against eventual champions, Carib Calliaqua United.

At the core of the discontentment was the number of fouls committed by Fergusson, which he refused to accept from the table officials.

But, acccording to a release, the local Basketball authority is seeing things differently.

“Our official records clearly show that Mr Fergusson got four (4) personal fouls, again, contrary to his claim. Video footage also clearly confirms the table officials were correct in their recording of the four (4) fouls in question. Further to that, our actions were clearly above board, as there were also announcements made on the PA system as to the status of the game, including informing the general public of the foul situation of each player or team,” Glynn wrote.

“There was no confusion between the referees and the table officials. Rightfully so, if there is a query, the referee must refer to the table officials for clarification, which they duly did. It is not the business of the referee to be able to tell you instantly what kind of fouls or the number of fouls on any individual; that is the responsibility of the table officials to record such and evidence shows it was correctly done,” the release continued.

“Contrary to what was quoted in the Searchlight Newspaper of June 8, 2012, as said by Mr Ferguson, to date, no member of the Federation’s Executive has received the letter in question. In the same token, while a team can lodge complaints about any official, it is not the prerogative of any team to dictate who can or cannot officiate in their games,” Glynn stated emphatically.

The Executive of the SVGBF is also taking offence with Fergusson in relation to the sport’s officials.

“While we all agree that there is room for improvement among our officials, Mr Ferguson’s comment about his concern about the on court officials prior to the tournament, smacks sadly in his face, as neither [he] nor any of his players, made use of the CBC sponsored referees’ clinic and local officials training that we scheduled prior to the tournament,” Glynn revealed.

“The Federation is deeply disappointed in the actions of the Mattafix Playaz team, especially that of Mr Orlando Ferguson (manager, coach and player), and strongly condemns such action,” Glynn wrote.

Glynn was apologetic to the sponsors, the fans, players, officials and well-wishers, for what he referred to as “such lack of respect for the game of Basketball.”

At the point of the discontinuation of the match, both teams were locked on 19-19, early into the second quarter.

“We are currently gathering the necessary reports and evidence, so as to place the matter into the hands of the Disciplinary Committee. Such disrespectful behaviour by any individual or team will not be tolerated. The game of Basketball is bigger than any individual”, the release concluded.(RT)