CBA fines Sharks for fan misbehavior

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) has fined the Shanghai Sharks basketball team 100,000 yuan ($16,130) because its fans pelted officials with trash after Friday's game, the CBA announced Saturday.

Spectators heckled the referees and technical officials during Friday's game against the Dongguan Leopards at Shanghai Yuanshen Stadium in Pudong New Area, according to a statement from the CBA.

The Sharks lost the game 91-100.

Fans had grown angry with the referees over some of their calls, said Tan Yuming, the vice president of the Shanghai Sharks' fans club. They repeatedly called the referees biased during the game.

The referees had been calling more fouls on the Sharks than their opponents, said Tan, who was seated behind one of the basketball hoops at the game.

The anger in the stands culminated after the game as the referees walked through the passage from the court to the stadium's innards.

Tan said a crowd gathered around the passageway to jeer at the referees.

The CBA said that spectators splashed a beverage on the back of some technical officials, and the stadium security failed to control the situation.

Tan said security staff later told him that someone had thrown drink bottles at the referees.

There were about 1,000 people in attendance at Friday's game.

"It is definitely improper for spectators to insult referees and officers," Tan said. "I guess the referees made some controversial calls, perhaps due to their lack of experience. Still, I think the fine against the Shanghai Sharks is a bit too high."

The CBA pointed out that it also fined the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions basketball team 20,000 yuan Sunday after one of its fans threw a bottle of water onto the court, even though it did not disrupt the game.