Warriors will appeal points deduction for unregistered Andre Berry

GARVEY’S Tralee Warriors will appeal the proposed points deduction and fine imposed on them by Basketball Ireland for playing recently signed but unregistered Andre Berry in three Superleague games.

It is Basketball Ireland’s contention that Berry, who signed for the Tralee club before Christmas, wasn’t properly registered when he played against UCD Marian, Belfast Star and DBS Eanna on December 14, 21 and January 4 respectively.

Warriors beat UCD and DBS Eanna but Basketball Ireland are proposing, in accordance with their rulebook, that the six points earned from those two wins be taken away from Warriors. They are furthering proposing to fine the club €130 per game that Berry played in while unregistered, which amounts to a €390 fine.

Tralee Warriors PRO Alan Cantwell confirmed to The Kerryman that the charge against the club was formally communicated to them last Monday.

Mr Cantwell confirmed that the club would be appealing the sanctions, and said the Warriors would be basing their appeal on a technicality surrounding Berry’s registration.

Basketball Ireland, when contacted by The Kerryman on Tuesday, issued the following statement.

“The MNCC (Men’s National Competitions Committee) at Basketball Ireland met to review the registration of a Garvey’s Tralee Warriors player and decided that the player was not registered with Basketball Ireland for three Super League games. Thus, the MNCC has decided to implement the penalties as outlined in the rulebook.

“As Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have the right to appeal this decision through the normal appeals procedure, the MNCC or Basketball Ireland will be making no further comment on this matter.”