UPDATE: Referee Neil J. Thomas clears the air on ‘Off the Corner’ walk off
Thomas insists that Off The Corner did indeed walk off the basketball court and alleges that this is based on an outburst made by the team coach.
He added that First District Representative Hon. Andrew A. Fahie had nothing to do with the act as he “was not part of it”.
Thomas also categorically denies having any role in the act, “I wasn’t part of the reason why the coach was making noise, they had two plays they were talking about that happened… I wasn’t even there but everybody is calling my name because it’s me they know, they don’t know the other referee.”
“I did call the foul when the coach started to make the most noise because the game would have gotten out of hand,” Thomas related.
He highlighted that basketball is a contact sport and said when a player hits another simply because he is frustrated, he is a person that would call a foul quickly so that the game can be brought under control again.
“I didn’t have anything to do with the plays that the players were talking about that the noise was being made over,” Thomas said.
In describing the incident, Thomas said an initial play happened and nothing was called by the other referee then the ball was brought back to his end of the court.
During this play, Thomas said the ball went off the court and this was called by the other referee and a player from Off The Corner hit the post in frustration and a technical foul was called.
Thomas further explained that, in a technical foul, the other team is awarded two shots and regains possession of the ball. “That’s where everybody started getting into an uproar and started getting rowdy,” he added.
“East [Rockers] got the rebound then the guy from Off The Corner went and rushed the guy and get it so I called a foul right away because I realised that this game would get out of hand…” Thomas said.
He alleged it was at this point where the coach started “getting this big outburst” saying that the team caught a ride to come up here and other stuff.
“When [Off The Corner] was in front in the first half, there wasn’t any noise making,” Thomas said, “now when East [Rockers] started to play and [Off The Corner] got behind now, that’s where everybody started to complain and quarrel and make noise.”
Thomas said he was very disappointed in how the coach handled the game and said it was very disrespectful. “It’s very unsportsmanlike because these guys playing basketball for years… they say I made a comment, the referee has to make a comment because of what they were doing… I made my comment after they done do what they did.”
Thomas said when the team walked off the game hadn’t been called off as he turned to the lead referee, who is a licensed FIBA referee and said ‘you are the chief [referee] right now, these guys walked off the court, if you want, blow the game off’. Thomas said the two then waited for a while before officially ending the game.
“If you want to go, [then] go back West End, that’s what I said afterwards, stop making noise on the court,” he said.
See previous story posted October 17, 2013:
‘Off the Corner’ denies VG league game walk off
- team meeting to be held about continued participation
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Allegations that members of their team walked off the court while playing during a basketball game in the Virgin Gorda League on October 12, 2013 have been strongly refuted by a spokesperson for ‘Off The Corner’.
Speaking to this news site on condition of anonymity, the spokesperson alleged that team members had been receiving ‘insulting’ and ‘disrespectful’ remarks from an unnamed official throughout their game against East Rockers last Saturday in Virgin Gorda and this eventually prompted them to excuse themselves as allegedly instructed.
The incident reportedly occurred during the third quarter of the second of three games during the night.
First District Representative Hon. Andrew A. Fahie reportedly assists the team with scoring duties.
“They decided not to play the game anymore, because the comments were out of order by one of the referees,” the spokesperson stated. “We left the game so that we didn’t disrespect ourselves or disrespect the league, because that is where it was leading up to.”
The team appointed spokesperson indicated that the team members were unified in their stance about actions taken on the court, especially since they had reportedly attempted to voice their concerns about the remarks and calls they had been receiving several times and were allegedly met with hostility.
When the team challenged one of the calls they received, they were allegedly told, “If you don’t like what’s happening, then go back to Tortola because you don’t know the game.”
“This was disrespectful for persons that have invested time and resources into the game,” the spokesperson said, “we took their advice and went back to Tortola.”
The team members also attempted to make it clear that they meant no disrespect to the league, but noted they would have to pay attention to the conduct of certain officials within the league.
According to the spokesperson, the team will be holding a meeting to determine whether they will continue to participate in upcoming games of the league.
The team wanted to also make it clear that their decision is no indictment to the organisers of the league as they have much respect for them and the job that they are doing.
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31 Responses to “UPDATE: Referee Neil J. Thomas clears the air on ‘Off the Corner’ walk off”
It was unsportsmanlike conduct exercise by district rep and his team,how can u all play and still ref the game bad bad leader ship example pls don't come back were not gonna support you no longer with your ralph mentality
Keep Calm n shut your mouth.......U sound just like the referee Mr. T******. U nor he can't stop us from coming VG. Call it what u want but u try playing n getting fouled hard n nobody calling fouls but as soon as u barely touch a man whistle blows.......That Ref have a problem n obviously its against the district rep o a particular play but this the wrong set he messing with. He acting up n showing off he self VG he forget is Tola he got to come. Time longer than Twine remember dat!!!!
Those who know what happen stands firm behind the decision OTC made. Ayo back off of our district rep. At least he does fight with us & for our rights. He doesn't sell us out let this NDP & some other elected representatives.
How can a spokesperson by Anonymous! Nonsense! Utter Nonsense. F**** and his guys were wrong! They walked off. Not respect. No sportsman like behaviour. Shame on them!
the team should be banned from the league...the coach behavior was very appalling and he and his team needs discipline. today we are all asking why the youths behave the way they do and this is a perfect example why they are the way they are...coach you are an authoritative figure please act accordingly.