Basketball: Waikato coach in more strife after attack on refs

Waikato coach Jeff Green faces another fine after scathing criticism of the refereeing in his team's National Basketball League loss to Otago last weekend.

Green faces a charge under the league's code of conduct, which forbids public criticism of officials.

He was notified by the league on Monday and had 72 hours to make written submissions before league general manager Richard Stokes makes a ruling tomorrow.

The penalties available to Stokes are censure and a fine of up to $1000.

The complaint arises from comments Green made after Sunday's game, that were targeted at referees Chris Benson and John Butler.

"It's hard to play seven people," he said, suggesting the referees were biased. He was particularly scathing of Benson's game.

"I genuinely think Chris Benson isn't up to refereeing at this level and I have made my thoughts clear to the New Zealand Basketball League. They might fine me, they might suspend me, I don't give a ... ," Green said.

Last week he was involved in another hearing with NBL officials following Waikato's game in Palmerston North the previous weekend. On that occasion he was involved in verbal exchanges with the crowd, culminating in his giving spectators the fingers at the end of the game.

Stokes declined to reveal the punishment then, and would not say whether he would talk to the referees about their performance.

- NZPA