Hodge escapes a penalty
The Age
Wednesday December 9, 2009
THE National Basketball League will not take action against Melbourne Tigers import Julius Hodge for his antics following Saturday night's 87-84 win over the Adelaide 36ers.Hodge drew the ire of the crowd of just under 6000 at Adelaide's home court when the former Sixers player, who left the club earlier this year after a pay dispute, twice stamped on the logo of Sixers legend Brett Maher.NBL general manager Chuck Harmison yesterday declared that Hodge's actions, while immature, did not constitute a breach of the league's code of conduct."Whilst it is clear that Julius Hodge's actions on Saturday night were ill-conceived and juvenile, we do not consider them to be a breach of the NBL's code of conduct," Harmison said."With no formal report lodged by either the 36ers or the game officials over the incident, Hodge will therefore face no sanctions from the league. It is disappointing that a game which was an absolute thriller, that went to overtime, and which drew the biggest NBL crowd of the season thus far, should be remembered for one player's distasteful actions rather than the fantastic basketball played."That being said, NBL basketball is always exciting and emotional, and we understand that sometimes our athletes get carried away with their celebrations after a win. Clearly, however, Hodge went over the top and underestimated the high esteem in which the Adelaide crowd and indeed the rest of the basketball community, hold Brett Maher."Harmison said Hodge's allegations of racial taunts from the Adelaide crowd would be investigated and warned that any fans who were found to have acted inappropriately would face potential bans."Hodge's allegations of racial taunting following the game are a serious concern and we will work closely with the 36ers and venue security staff to identify any individuals who may have used racial slurs against Hodge," he said. "There is absolutely no place for that sort of behaviour in the NBL or indeed in our society."The NBL will also review the way the 36ers handled the post-game events, including the actions of club staff €” including Sixers general manager Ben Fitzsimons, who ran towards Hodge after the incident and ordered him off the court €” and venue security personnel to ensure appropriate procedures were followed.Hodge admitted on Monday that he might have "slightly over-reacted".
© 2009 The Age