Hackett disqualified, heavy hand of FIP

Daniel Hackett paid dearly for the expulsion that occurred in Game 3 of the playoff semifinal between Virtus Bologna and Venezia: the FIP opted for a two-game stop. This is the motivation released by the federation: “Disqualification for two games because he was ejected for having hit an opposing player (Candi) with a non-violent headbutt at a standstill with no injury, taking into account the aggravating circumstance of being a captain [art. 33,3/1c RG,art. 21,5a RG].”

Hackett during the fourth period had a contact with Candi and was removed from the court after the backcourt replay reviewed the episode on instant replay. Sanction also for Venice, fined “666.00 for collective and sporadic offenses directed at the referees [art. 27,4bc RG rec.,art. 24,4 RG].”

Coach Nenad Jakovljevic commented thus on his Virtus Bologna’s Game 3 loss to Venice during the post-game press conference. “We lost a game that was difficult to play and for which some episodes decided the final result: we could have won, but I am not saying this to belittle Reyer’s great game. We made Venice turn on their engine with our mistakes. So congratulations to them, but we are thinking about ourselves,” said the coach.

Looking at the positive aspects from which to start again in view of the next engagement, Jakovljevic emphasized the reaction shown by the team in the most complicated moment of the game: “Let’s start from the reaction we had at minus 10. From there we then had the tying shot from outside. We did not give up despite the difficulties.” Finally, when asked about the talk given to the team in the locker room, the coach preferred to keep it confidential: “What we said to each other in the locker room remains between us.”