Refs not up to standard, blasts Star’s Mccotter
Chairman calls for action after Belfast side’s controversial Play-off defeat
BELFAST Star chairman Bill Mccotter has slammed the standard of officials in the All-ireland Superleague and fears it is damaging the spectacle of the elite level, in which interest has grown significantly over the past 12 months.
Star’s season came to an end on Sunday night when they lost in the Quarter-finals of the PlayOffs in controversial circumstances to Cork side Demons with numerous contentious calls by the referees, but Mccotter insists that his issue with officialdom has been season-long — and that he is not the only one within the sport with great concern.
Mccotter, a Board member of Basketball Ireland, raises his deep concerns just as the governing body has advertised for a new Head of Commercial and Brand at a time when numbers at games and participation at all levels are up, while the online streaming service of all Superleague matches through Basketball Ireland TV has been very successful.
Mccotter said: “It’s evident as the season finishes that the standard of refereeing has come into question from lots of clubs throughout the League. The standard of the teams in the Superleague has improved significantly with the introduction of two professional Americans per team. There’s a greater pace, intensity and quality and it just seems that the officials have not kept pace with the improved performances of teams in the Superleague.
“I have spoken to many people across the League and the same issue has come up again and again throughout the season — the officials are not up to standard and there needs to be investment and a real overhaul of how games at the elite level are refereed.
“We have a great product, teams are putting in more money than ever to be at the highest level and we need the officials to match that. At the moment fans and players are being left very frustrated by too many bad calls.
“There’s a clear lack of consistency in the interpretation of the rules and it has to be said there may also be some question marks over the physical capability of some of the referees simply because of how the speed of the game has really kicked on now that we have more professionals on the court.”
In light of those concerns, Mccotter subsequently believes that Superleague clubs and Basketball Ireland need to have an improved relationship with the referees when it comes to accountability for the standards of officials and their decisions.
“At the moment it just seems that the referees are marking their own homework and there is simply no accountability when it comes to their decisions — that somehow they are untouchable and that cannot be acceptable in any sport,” added Mccotter.
“We are a semi-pro League within the world governing body of basketball, FIBA, and the last thing we want is professional players coming here and returning home to complain about how poor the standard of refereeing is. Something has to be done. Ahead of next season, Basketball Ireland must address the concerns of clubs across the League.
“Even during the game, there is a distinct lack of engagement between referees and players and coaches. It used to be that decisions could be explained but that seems to have gone.”
As for Star’s overtime demise in the Play-offs Quarter-finals, having won the Northern Conference with just three defeats in 19 games, Mccotter was keen not to focus on the impact of the officials.
“When it comes to the referees on Sunday, I think it’s fair to say there were some very strange calls for both teams,” said Mccotter.
“This season we have played some great basketball and Sunday night’s game with Demons was one of incredible intensity. You had two very good sides going at it from start to finish and if we had taken some of our free throws then we could have won the game but that’s sport.”