IBA suggests punishment for Sofo Schortsanitis

(Photo Credit: Maccabi Tel Aviv Official FB Page)

The Israeli Basketball Association suggested an immediate eight-game suspension and $11.5k fine, in addition to a sentence of 40 hours of community service against Maccabi Tel Aviv's Greek center Sofoklis Schortsanitis.

Yesterday, Sofo stood in the middle of a once in a lifetime riot against a fan of Maccabi's crosstown rival Hapoel, who cursed the Greek center and his family.

Important to note that the IBA's ruling is not final and that the Greek muscle is expected to have a hearing either this Friday or next week.

Tel Aviv's team manager Nikola Vujcic told Sportando with regards to the IBA's decision. "The punishment against Sofo (Schortsanitis) is just a suggestion and it's not the final decision. My personal opinion is that such a ruling is too severe, especially with the conditions in which (Maccabi) played last night - and the fact that Sofo didn't hit anyone."

Ahead of Maccabi's practice earlier this evening Sofo took to the media and revealed his side of the story.

"I've played in many hostile environments over my career but this was the first time I lost my temper," Sofo said. "I heard a lot of negative things when playing (in Greece) against Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, but never like Hapoel's fan said towards my mother and wife. When he mentioned my kids I lost it badly," he added.

"I understand I am a pro-athlete and that I represent both my country and a great club like Maccabi, and I feel really bad for leaving a stain on our victory over Hapoel," the Greek center said.

"I love my family and will never allow anyone to treat them like that. There has to be a limit to how much someone - a human being - can curse someone's family. You have to be a sick individual to say such horrible stuff," he told the Israeli media.

Story by David Pick

Twitter: IAmDPick