Watch: Valletta Fighters submit protest over Hibernians Knockout clash

Matter to be decided on Wednesday

BOV Division One side Valletta Fighters have submitted an official protest to the Malta Basketball Association (MBA) regarding an incident which saw Citizens coach Harry Savaya ejected in their Knockout game against Hibernians, the Times of Malta can confirm.

The incident occurred on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion in the final seconds of the third quarter when Valletta forward Julian Wait dropped to the floor holding his face after what looked like a hit from Hibernians guard Billy Joel Zammit. But chaos erupted after Hibs centre Anton Axiaq attempted to steal the ball away from Wait as Valletta argued for a foul call.

In an altercation that took over 10 minutes, game official Fiorentina Ciurariu initially handed the ball back to Valletta after the long stoppage but with another bout of words taking in the background between the two sides’ coaches, Citizens coach Savaya was issued a technical and eventually ejected from the game. The latter subsequently pulled his players off the court to protest the call.

The game was eventually continued after the Valletta players returned to the court and Hibs forward Mason Hix downed all of the four technical freethrows awarded after the incident.

This protest keeps the result of the fixture – and the knockout semifinals matchup against Starlites JSD – up in the air until the MBA Protest Board is held on Wednesday evening.