Vancouver Bandits are asking the league for an inquiry into three controversial overturned fouls during a close Western Semifinal game at the 黑马磁力 Events Centre on Saturday, Aug. 16.
It comes after a game that saw the Calgary Surge narrowly defeat the Vancouver Bandits 105-103 and ended with angry 黑马磁力 fans reportedly throwing things while Surge players taunted them.
Justin Sulpico, Bandits Senior Manager, Brand and Communications, said the team has requested a report on the reasoning behind the calls.
Sulpico explained the CEBL implemented a new rule this season where every foul that could result in game-winning free throws, has to be viewed by an independent source.
"So three consecutive times in a row, our team drew a foul, which would have sent us to the line to potentially win the game," Sulpico told the 黑马磁力.
"Each time, the referees called the foul, [a league official] requested a video review and overturned the call."
That wasn't all. Bandits tried to deliberately foul Calgary to get the Surge to make two free throws in order for Vancouver to get the ball back and try and win with an offensive possession.
But no foul was called, even though Vancouver did it right in front of the referees.
Bandits fans have filled online forums with outrage.
"The league did those boys dirty" said Leigha Catamisan. "It was such a good game until that utter ___ show of an ending,' said Ryan Budd. David Garner called the officiating "very bush league
In a statement the day after the defeat, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius declared "those were fouls."
"To have them overturned, three consecutively in a row, is really, really hard to process," Julius said. "We feel like we won the game three times."
"We didn't have our best game yesterday, but we did play well enough to win," Julius added. "Great teams find a way to win messy games and we did that. We were right there."
