This Monday, the Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB) condemned the absence of Benfica in the official ceremony of awarding medals and trophies to the national champion of this sport, stating that it violates the principles of sports ethics, “severely tarnishing the image of basketball “and admits Consequences for athletes.
“Without prejudice to the disciplinary consequences provided for in the regulations for the refusal of Sport Lisboa e Benfica to participate in the award ceremony, the Portuguese Basketball Federation reserves the right to take all measures within its power to guarantee that such behaviors are not repeated in basketball and that the modality continues to be an example of sports ethics”, can be read in a statement released by the federation.
Benfica revalidated the title of national basketball champion on Sunday, after beating Sporting 101-85.
In a statement posted on the official website, the club said it would not participate in the official trophy delivery ceremony, accusing the FPB and its Disciplinary Council, chaired by Carlos Filipe, of “discriminatory and unacceptable behavior” for allowing Sporting guard, Travante Williams, played after having attacked a law enforcement officer in a previous game.
The reds argue that, in a less serious situation, the FPB decided to preventively suspend the Benfica athlete Iván Almeida for 30 days.
The formation of Luz, who last season had sealed the scepter at the Dragão Arena, home of FC Porto, reinforced the leadership of the classification of winners, which already has 29 titles, compared to 12 for the ‘dragons’ and nine for Sporting.
Source: TSF
