Tribunal Media Release
WELLINGTON – Otago Nuggets guard Tai Webster has been suspended one game for his on-court actions against the Wellington Saints in Round 3 during a match that took place in Dunedin at the Edgar Centre on the 13th of April 2024.
The Nuggets Webster was involved in an incident with Saints forward Lat Mayen with 8:30 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter. The incident was referred by the Referee Manager, and it was determined by the Leagues Game Review Commissioner that his action was a classifiable offence as outlined in the Tribunal Policy:
Incident: Nuggets Webster pushes Mayen in the head
|
Conduct |
Impact |
Contact |
Base Sanction |
Early Plea |
|
Intentional |
Low |
Head |
1 Games + $600 |
1 Game |
Statement from Sal's National Basketball League Game Review Commissioner Keith Binnie.
“While each case will be treated on its own merits, as a League, we are looking to ensure the safety of players and a key part of that will be dealing with foul or rough play resulting in contact with the head. This was a key focus for the League when adapting some of the new penalty guidelines in the Tribunal Policy ahead of the 2024 season. Players need to be aware of these guidelines and understand that making intentional, careless or reckless contact with another player’s head, or undertaking an act that has a significant risk of head injury, will be looked at closely and the penalty regime has been increased , as it has in many other sports for foul play resulting in contact with the head.”
Webster took the early plea and will serve his suspension this week Thursday, on April 18, when the Otago Nuggets are away to the Franklin Bulls at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre, Pukehohe.
