Whilst Hogan was suspended in 2011 in respect of remarks he had made about Coach Wright, the NBL's investigation at the time into that incident did not result in any findings in relation to any remarks or slurs of a racial nature.

"1 game suspended sentence"

NBL flexing their muscle.

and Coach of the Year goes to...

Is there ever a penalty for umpire incompetence or is it just accepted?.
Not a 'ref bashing' statement, but they are quick to respond and act on Joey's comments, but no mention of over reaction or "possible" bias by certain ref.

Anon-- He would have no show if refs awarded votes but coach of year has little to do with refs (or AFL umpires) and I may be wrong (not first time) but believe it is selected by all NBL coaches (peers)
Refs/Umpires only award votes for players

Either way, Joey categorically stated he was suspended for using racial slurs for which he had no evidence. The league doesn't have to investigate the slur here - they just need to disprove Joey's claim.

The short answer is that Joey should learn to keep his mouth shut.

Joey unfortunately really overstepped the mark on this alleging Hogan had been suspended for racially abusing him when he hadn't so it's difficult to feel too much for sympathy for him and Boti should've got his facts right first before taking Joey's word as gospel. Poor form by both.

+1

Boti is a flog.

So what the fark was Hogan suspended for?

P1ssweak by the NBL. If you read the media reports it would appear that a convicted ref has it in for Joey and had a big impact on a game. Reading today that is not at all the scenario - casual observers of the NBL would have been left with a totally different impression. Whether it is the case or not it was not proven and the ref has had the unenviable task of dealing with a difficult coach. Like em or hate em for a ref this would have been an impossible situation and it has been made out to be something its not.

According to last night's news reports, the Sixers have concrete proof that Brett Hogan used a racial slur when addressing Joey Wright in a game 6 years ago.

When asked if the evidence would be released, Joey said he'd leave it up to Sixers admin. He also wouldn't ask that Hogan not be allowed to officiate Sixers games - that was up to admin too.

Personally, I hope they release the evidence. It'd then be up to the NBL to see if they condone that sort of thing.

Ignoring staggering levels of incompetence week to week is one thing. Ignoring a racial slur would be something else all together.

Wonder if the NBL has lent on the Sixers in the background to ensure the proof never gets released.

Joey Wright needs to pull his big fat head in and learn to STFU every now and then.

Zodiac "Joey unfortunately really overstepped the mark on this alleging Hogan had been suspended for racially abusing him when he hadn't"

"when he hadn't" based on what? Based on the NBL's statement? There are many scenario's that could have happened:

Past
It happened but the only evidence was Wright's vs Hogan's word so they dismissed it.
It didn't happen but the only evidence was Wright's vs Hogan's word so they dismissed it.
It happened, NBL accepted it happened but felt it best to keep it in house.
It didn't happen but NBL accepted it happened but felt it best to keep it in house.

Now
Both parties and NBL come to an agreement and move forward for the better of the league.

I'm not saying it did or didn't happen and We can all speculate but we don't know the facts.

1. Wright made a complaint that a ref racially vilified him.

2. The complaint was investigated.

3. The ref was suspended.

4. The finding did not need to determine whether the offensive conduct was of a racial nature.

5. Years later Wright raises the point with a journalist.

6. The journalist publishes something that may or may not be a verbatim record of what Wright says.

7. What is reported is, nevertheless, an apparently truncated version of the above facts.

8. The NBL fines and gives a suspended sentence to Wright.

Assuming this is what occurred, which is inferred by the NBL's press release, I can't see how the NBL has any justification for what it has done at all. Wright is entitled to maintain his views about that incident despite the NBL's absence of findings on the point.

Wright should appeal to the International Court of Arbitration of Sport on principle. I assume that is what is being discussed by admin.

Please let me know what actually occurred then, because the facts are pretty hard to find in the NBL's whitewash of this incident.

The NBL says that he was suspended because of remarks he made about Wright. How as a journalist would you report this set of events? I am intrigued.

"Its pretty simple, XY. If Hogan was not suspended for racial abuse, Joey is wrong and deserved a fine."

Joey deserved a fine regardless due to the rules set by the NBL.

Has the NBL stated anywhere what Hogan was suspended for then?

So Hogan wasn't suspended for 'racism' but he was suspended. He was cited for racism, not found guilty but still suspended - something doesn't add up?!?!

Either way, there is history there and the way Hogan was umpiring it was quite obvious - he was blatantly 1 sided.

The umpiring has been flat out BAD across the board but Hogan took it to a whole new level.

Joey needed to make a stand against Hogan and his complete disregard for the rules that night, it was well warranted in my opinion.

I think the 36ers have every right to demand Hogan not umpire any more of their games because he is clearly still holding a grudge. To be honest, I think Hogan should be stood down and fined for bringing the game into disrepute.

Why should the nbl not have to explain what Hogan was actually suspended for? If a player or coach is suspended, details of the offence is virtually always released to the public. But not clarifying what Hogan was actually suspended for makes it seem like the refs are not even accountable for unprofessional actions they may have committed and makes them seem like far too much of a protected species. I understand not releasing publicly details of refs performance in getting calls wrong or right but it is a different kettle of fish when it comes to being suspended because of an incident such as the one that seems to be being alluded to here.

Also it leaves the door open for people to think that the racial slur did happen as Joey is claiming if the NBL doesn't clarify the events that actually happened. I think it would be in everyone's best interests for the NBL to release the details of the incident, otherwise is looks like they have something to hide.

The other issue is that if Hogan was suspended as a result of something he said to Wright (racial or not in nature), you would think having Hogan ref games in which Wright is involved would be a good thing to avoid.

I disagree with Joey's actions in getting ejected - he needed to cool it quicker and not put himself in a position where he might be ejected, I think the comments by him in regards to the incident of 6 years ago are not well timed as it is an unwanted distraction with finals around the corner. But the statement by the NBL is not a great one and shows very little transparency leaving a few key questions unanswered.

"I'm saying that if Joey alleges that Hogan was suspended for racial abuse, the NBL says he wasn't, then it is not up to the NBL to clear anything up any further. It was Joey's allegation, he should be the one proving it, not just mouthing off to pass the blame AGAIN for an incident he was involved in."


I'd have to agree. That's a very serious accusation, so if you're going to throw it out there you'd better be able to back it up. Joey is lucky to get off this lightly IMO. This is a guy's professional and personal reputation being slandered here.

FWIW I don't recall Hogan umpiring any 36ers home games in recent times, not to say he hasn't though.

However, it is clear Hogan still holds a grudge from what happened years ago.

Joey has only mentioned it because of Hogans actions on the night...it's not like Joey just brought it up out of nowhere.

Everyone is blaming Joey but I think Hogan is just as much if not more at fault...they were as bad as each other.

Hogan made it quite evident what he was up to and if the NBL reviewed his umpiring he too should be fined/suspended...but of course that wont happen!

Luuuc - I agree that Joey should have evidence to back up his claims if the NBL is saying that they are false and he should release that evidence. However in regards to Hogan's suspension 6 years ago - why wasn't it disclosed then what he got suspended for? And since it wasn't disclosed then, why not come out now and actually clarify the situation? I don't understand what they would have to lose in doing that? By taking the actions they have so far, it makes it seem like they have something to hide.

Anon...like I said, I didn't recall him umpiring a game but never said he didn't.

It's human nature though anon...when someone is blatantly biased you revert back to a time when there was an issue for an explanation as what other reason could Hogan have had to umpire the way he did - unless his Uncle had money on the game?

Either way, Hogans umpiring was a F'n joke!

Uncle Phil, I don't really know, and that's why I only commented on one side of this equation. Pardon the pun, but one side of this is pretty black and white in terms of a line being crossed.

On the other side, if there is one thing you could never accuse the NBL of it is being open/transparent. But now is not really the time to be asking those questions. They are valid questions, but they really should have been asked (and answered) 6 years ago.

What I'm wondering is what happens next?
Do Hogan-officiated games and Wright-coached games quietly cease to coincide?

I assume the slur was racist and the NBL refused to have it go public and hurt their image. It's not something you'd broadcast to the masses.

"He's suspended"

"For what?"

"Stuff"

"What stuff?"

"Just stuff, ok?! GOD, move on..."

I think Loco is on the money!

Keen to know what does it take for a ref to say something that warrants a suspension.

Until the NBL can explain that the evidence sits with Joey imo

I will also add that Boti wouldn't print something unless he was very comfortable backing it up

He would also not print something that put Joey into a dangerous and possibly liable situation unless he knew the facts

I think its entirely plausible that Boti and or Joey have a smoking gun that the new NBL management know nothing about and old NBL management may be hoping doesn't come out

Either way, there is history there and the way Hogan was umpiring it was quite obvious - he was blatantly 1 sided.

The umpiring has been flat out BAD across the board but Hogan took it to a whole new level.

Joey needed to make a stand against Hogan and his complete disregard for the rules that night, it was well warranted in my opinion.

I think the 36ers have every right to demand Hogan not umpire any more of their games because he is clearly still holding a grudge. To be honest, I think Hogan should be stood down and fined for bringing the game into disrepute.

or throwing it out because it happened...same same

What Boti writes is generally checked by lawyers. (Well, except his romance novel - did anyone read that?)

From my understanding of what's happened in the past, the NBL should rescind this fine and suspension threat.

I imagine that if it weren't for it being a chance of distracting from their run into the finals, Joey and the 36ers could release info that would cover their case.

NBL should drop it and move on, if they haven't done so quietly already.

Besides which, throwing out the "racist" card just because you happen to be black, is despicable.

It's basically a racial slur in itself. Sadly ironic.

If you knew anything about what had actually happened, you'd probably retract that.

A says something racist to B. B complains. Dazz, with no evidence whatsoever, calls B despicable. A new Dazz low.

"What puzzles me is IF Joey and the 36ers have all this evidence why wouldn't they produce it and refute or fight the penalty? All very very silent on that front."

Because regardless of if it is true or not NBL would have the power to suspend Wright for the rest of the season for bringing the game into disrupt. I doubt Wright or the Sixers want that to happen. If that is the case then it was the best move forward for all parties.

The simple facts of life are these:

If you persist in behaving like a serial dickhead, you will eventually get a tech-foul.
When you get a tech-foul, the number one rule is that you shut up and sit down. Doesn't matter who you are, or what colour your skin, persisting with the behaviour after the first tech is begging for disaster.
So Joey got what was coming and was evicted. That SHOULD have been the end of the story.

Doesn't matter who you are, or what you say, if you are stupid enough to then go after the ref in the media, the NBL has no choice but to impose sanctions. End of story.

"What puzzles me is IF Joey and the 36ers have all this evidence why wouldn't they produce it and refute or fight the penalty?

The only way that something which happened in 2011 is relevant is if you are claiming that Joey's tech-foul was racially motivated.

Now, aside form the fact that his eviction was completely justified, if it was accompanied by a racial slur then the NBL should throw the book at the ref. But is that what is being alleged?

No, Joey is dragging up a 6 year old allegation to attack the ref who evicted him.

As I said, a new low for Joey.

Interesting stuff Isaac, generally being a trustworthy source your comments seem to explain why the NBL has provided lack of clarity on this issue and definitely show they have something to hide.

It's been a pretty poor showing on both sides to be honest. Joey has not behaved in a great manner but the NBL is just compounding the issue with the lack of honesty in their response. Very poor form from what should be an organisation trying to improve its image and considering they have generally been going in the right direction the past couple of years.

Dazz...there is no surplus after your consumption!

The irony is, that despite being proven wrong, I have some sympathy for Joey on the FIRST tech-foul. He's not the only coach that complains vociferously, and often its hard to pick why a particular argument gets a tech when so many don't. But it happens, and you move on. Trev's been teched, even Neillson got teched. As I said, you shut-up and you walk away.
Joey didn't, and all these problems stem from that.

Eviction is a harsh penalty, but its what follows.
Joey should know better by now, but unfortunately has a history of misbehaving after getting a tech.

Going after the ref in the media? Just a dumb move.

"How do you conclude this? Was Hogan suspended for racial abuse?"

That's my point - we don't know. We have Joey, Boti, the Sixers and some reliable posters indicating on here saying that he was. While the NBL is saying he wasn't but have failed to specify what he actually was suspended for. That's why the NBL should provide clarity on why Hogan was actually suspended, until they do that, this issue will drag on as we don't know who to believe, and it would actually benefit the NBL to state what Hogan was suspended for if it wasn't racial abuse. The fact they haven't done this loses them crediblity and considering very reliable posters on here seem to be hinting that it was a racial issue, I'm leaning towards believing Joey's version of events that it was.

I'm talking about what happened this weekend, not ancient history.

That's a very long bow to draw anon #623275. How can you say how a person who you don't personally know would have reacted to a situation 6 years ago, have you ever been racially abused? Stupid post.

Dazz "When you get a tech-foul, the number one rule is that you shut up and sit down."

That is rubbish you're allowed to seek clarification in a calm manner. What is determined a calm matter is subjective.

"Going after the ref when you have already received a Tech is just plain stupid, and he completely deserved to be evicted."

More rubbish. Do you want to exaggerate it anymore? At what point did he go after the ref? A different ref gave him the first tech then Hogan decided to come along to speak to Wright. Completely deserved to be evicted? Was he abusing the ref? was he yelling at the ref? He was slightly animated.

"Then going after the ref in the media, is just mind-bogglingly insane."

No what is insane is your inability to put together why he did it. Find one case where an NBL coach has been thrown out of a game for such a small infraction. No abuse, no yelling. The ref could have just said "It hit the ring and they incorrectly didn't reset the clock" and walked away, instead handled it poorly. Wright is right to question if Hogan has a hatred bias towards him since what happened in the past. If Wright goes directly to the NBL nothing gets done. If he makes a scene of it then he gets what he wants and that is to not have Hogan ref his games. Whilst a decision like that hasn't been made official, I doubt we will see Hogan ref any of the Sixers remaining games this season.

"Besides which, throwing out the "racist" card just because you happen to be black, is despicable."

As Isaac said a new low for you Dazz

"If it was my name splashed across the papers incorrectly it is what I would do." If you think about what you said there you might solve the riddle for yourself or not.

Anyway as Isaac has said we have a fantastic week of Basketball coming up and then the finals series. The NBL has done the best they can by not saying too much and letting the game go on regardless of what happened. Only us die hard fans are curious to what actually happened. The rest of the general public would feel the matter has been dealt with.

Anon, I think it's a much shorter bow to draw that you don't know Joey personally, and also a short bow to draw that you have no idea what your talking about. The fact that you post as an anon and make statements like you did shows how little credibility you have. Maybe your the one who needs to pull your head in fast you can stop embarrassing yourself.

Joey has now accepted the NBL fine .. no appeal etc....

"Oh so I should post as Uncle Fester and that would give me credibility. Because Uncle Phil gives you so much street cred. Laughable"

It does actually give Uncle Phil credibility Anon #623291. If you've been around Hoops SA for a while you'd be aware that Uncle Phil always provides well thought out, well written meaningful comments that are worth reading. Same with posters such as Isaac, Paul, XY and rjd who used to post a while ago.

This is why I hate anonymous posters - it's hard to judge if what they're saying is worth reading because they have no history, and zero credibility so you generally just skip what they have to say and move on to the next post. When you have limited time and thousands of posts to read why would you bother reading posts from anonymous posters rather than guys that already have "Hoops SA" credibility. If your aim on a forum is to get your posts read then why wouldn't you come up with your Hoops SA handle and stick to it?

I understand the irony of this is I've read and am responding to an anonymous poster but that is merely because Uncle Phil mentioned him in one of his posts!

I think I got my anon posters wrong - meant to say "anon 623293". Which goes further to my point. It would be far easier to reference posters if they weren't anonymous!

Cool. Follow if you like. The truth is Joey rolled over and accepted the penalty. Hardly the actions of an innocent man who cried wolf!!

Cheers Uncle Fester! See this is already easier :)

You could conclude that or it may just be a case of the Sixers wanting to put this distraction behind them and focus on the business end of the season rather than having this drag on... Also I would say it wasn't Joey's decision alone to accept the penalty - probably a club decision to do what's in the best interest of the Sixers.

Rat10 we are talking racial vilification. This isnt role over shit. You don't let racial go. There is a reality there

The truth is Joey rolled over and accepted the penalty. Hardly the actions of an innocent man who cried wolf!!