Jiangsu basketball fan banned for life for misconduct, coach receives one-match suspension

BEIJING - A Jiangsu basketball fan was banned for life on Saturday due to repeated misconducts in Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) matches while Jiangsu Dragons head coach Memi Becirovic was handed a further one-match suspension for a clash with the fan.

Listed as a prohibited spectator by the league, Wang was banned for life from watching any CBA game inside the venue.

Becirovic, who had served an automatic one-match suspension on Friday after he and the fan were sent off after the altercation, cannot take charge of the team on Sunday. The Jiangsu club was also fined 50,000 yuan ($7,200).

Becirovic and the fan surnamed Wang clashed in Jiangsu's home game against Liaoning Flying Leopards on Wednesday before being separated by players and staff with 5:36 left to play in the third quarter.

Following an investigation, the CBA league found that the fan had taken to abusive words and insulting gestures against the opponents, and then turned to Becirovic's wife for abusive words when she was trying to stop him.

The fan was also found to have used abusive words against opponents inside an earlier CBA match against Tianjin Pioneers on November 8, 2019.

In a statement, the CBA league condemned Wang's misconduct and called on all fans to set an example for youngsters and uphold the image of the league.

Meanwhile, the league said it will invite Becirovic's wife and her family members to the CBA All-star Weekend in Guangzhou next weekend.