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NBA Celtics ban fan for two years over verbal insults
NEW YORK, March 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Boston Celtics have banned a
supporter from all games for two years for offensive comments directed to
Golden State center DeMarcus Cousins, the NBA team said Friday.
The visiting Warriors defeated Boston 115-111 on January 26 with Cousins
contributing 15 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes for the reigning NBA
champions.
The Celtics indicated the fan involved was under 18 and violated team
policy regarding fan conduct.
“On January 26, we were alerted by DeMarcus Cousins that a fan had used
racially offensive language towards him,” the Celtics said in a statement.
“Immediately upon receiving the complaint, the fan, who was a minor, was
ejected.
“The following day, per our policy regarding any reported fan behavior
complaint, the team initiated an exhaustive investigation of the incident
that included reviewing video from multiple angles and identifying and
interviewing numerous fans, security personnel, and police in the immediate
vicinity.
“In the course of this investigation, we were able to conclude that the fan
had been verbally abusive toward the Golden State bench, but none of the
interviewed parties were able to verify the use of racially offensive
language, and video evidence proved inconclusive.
“Based on our investigation, the fan was issued a two-year ban from all
Celtics games, and is also subject to lifetime probation pursuant to our
policy. The punishment for any corroborated discriminatory language used
towards any player, employee, or fan at a Celtics home game is a lifetime
ban.”
The Celtics shared notice of their investigation and final discipline plans
with the Warriors, adding, “We express the deepest regrets that this incident
happened to DeMarcus, as such behavior violates everything the Boston Celtics
have always stood for.”
The Utah Jazz banned a fan for life earlier this month after video emerged
of a verbal exchange between the man and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0946 hrs