Chinese Coach Claims Bias by Referees

Wed, May 13 2009

A Chinese basketball coach has accused Australian referees at the Arafura Games in Darwin of favouring local teams, a claim rejected by the referees.

Zhao Zhong Zeng, coach of Macau China, is attending his fourth Arafura Games and so far his team has won against PNG and Indonesian Aceh but lost to teams from the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Zhao said through an interpreter, that the referees were influenced by local crowds supporting Australian teams. “We come here for fair and friendly games but they are not fair when we play local teams.”

Yesterday, Macao lost 71-82 against the Southern Cross Stars from Adelaide. During the game Zhao was ordered from the courtside after a series of technical fouls, including touching a referee, and for throwing away a ball.

Zhao said there was no games commissioner at the courtside so he had to talk direct to the referee.

“I picked up a ball to demonstrate what I considered a mistake by the referee. I used body language to make my point because I do not speak English. I did not throw the ball at the referee. I threw it to him, not at him.”

Referees who watched the game said it had been handled fairly and properly and there certainly were no favours given to the South Australian team.

They admitted there was no games commissioner at the courtside but said the coach could have called ‘time out’ at any stage and spoken to the referee.

For more information go to www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au.

Gail Liston (08) 8920 5536 or 0407 207 335