Continued referee standoff forces cancellation of Federation game
While both sides have been tight-lipped about the disagreement, Mr Young and his crew, with other referees like Neil J. Thomas, Roger A. L. Williams aka 'Malt Man', Derwin Scatliffe, Yulissa Hurtado and Shem Ollieverre among others, have refused to officiate so far in the 2017 season.
It is our newsroom’s understanding that part of the standoff is over money owed to some of the referees by the BVI Basketball Federation from last year, conditions of payment, other referees to be placed in the pool and a lack of communication between the BVIBF and the refereeing crew.
Players & Coaches turn Referees
The standoff has forced the Federation to use local basketball players for the most part who are either themselves playing on a team, most often the same Division in the current League, are coaches of teams or are, in some cases, associated with a team, notwithstanding that these players/coaches turned referees have displayed much fairness and professionalism, despite the criticism over the situation and the potential for conflict of interest.
It is also our newsroom’s understanding that the persons being used to referee are not being paid but are volunteering their time to help out due to the standoff by the regular referees.
Well, last night July 8, 2017, things seemed to have come to a head at the time of the most anticipated game in the League, a showdown between the two most competitive undefeated teams, Tortola's Legs and Virgin Gorda's Mystics, as it was the last game for the night.
Both teams and fans were hyped as the excitement grew at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Legs had their big guns from St Thomas in the USVI and Mystics had a full roster of their players from the sister island of Virgin Gorda, so the anticipation was high.
However, disappointment set in as players, fans and the media waited for almost an hour only to learn that there were no referees available, which forced the game to be cancelled.
Big embarrassment; Fans & players upset
Veteran basketball player Steve E. Parillon, a member of Mystics, was upset over the cancellation. Speaking exclusively to our newsroom, he said "I am really disappointed and it was an embarrassment...players came from St Thomas and Virgin Gorda, and if the League is not running properly cancel it...as a player I do not feel good, it hurts basketball..."
Other players and fans who did not want to go on record also expressed similar sentiments over the cancellation, and saw it as "shameful", as the Federation should be the leader in local basketball.
Cancelled game to be rescheduled & free night
President of the BVI Basketball Federation Guy L. Malone said "two of the three referees scheduled to officiate were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond our control". Mr Malone, who has been at the helm of the Federation for years, said "the games will be rescheduled for Saturday July 15, 2017 and there will be free admissions for all games on that date."
The BVI Basketball Federation also apologised to the fans and players in a press statement released today July 9, 2017 for "the cancellation of game three last evening between the Legs and Mystics".
It is unclear if the referee situation will continue to the play offs and championship games of the Federation season. Meanwhile, games played in the Federation League will continue this evening Sunday July 9, 2017 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, in Road Town.
Mega Guns will come up against Go Hard at 7:00 P.M. and East will play Starz at 8:30 P.M.
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29 Responses to “Continued referee standoff forces cancellation of Federation game”
But yea man locals can run everything. Give me a ^&*%£ break!
Too much politics in the damn federation. Like somebody thiefing the money just like them worthless politician up and down in tie.
Somebody need to hold them same damn tie and drag them r@%$ to jail.
Seems like we have a bankrupt federation just like government.
steve is an a$&******, a has been nba wanabe with a lot of damn tatooes, when joe jack and juggie was doing the ref they were doing it for half of what these guys getting, they doing for the love of the sport and country, n one small country you three damn leagues and no nba propects.
Or do we have a double standard here? Fraser league could have never gotten away with this mess
Anything G......... involved in is a failure!
Ain't got no standoff between referees and federation about money. And leave our boy shrimpy out of it