Maccabi demotes, suspends, fines Pnini 4 december 2012
Euroleague.net
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv announced on Monday that it has suspended guard Guy Pnini indefinitely and stripped him of the team's captaincy after the player made offensive remarks to an opponent in an Israeli League game.
After a meeting with Pnini on Monday, club officials announced his suspension from all competitions, the end of his captaincy and a fine of 100,000 New Israeli Shekels (approximately €20,000). Before the meeting, Pnini issued an apology for his actions during a local derby game Sunday against cross-town rival Hapoel Tel Aviv. His offensive comments, directed at Hapoel player Jonathan Skjoldebrand, were heard on TV broadcasts of the game.
"I want to apologize from the depths of my heart for the hard things I said during the derby," Pnini's statement said. "I apologize to Jonathan and his family, to my club Maccabi Tel Aviv, the team, sports fans and to anyone who was hurt by this.
"I feel like I have disappointed the sport of basketball, the club, the fans and all the people who I love — and especially myself. As someone who should be an example for young people and youth, and who should preserve the values I grew up with and the club's value, I am ashamed of myself and the way I acted. I will respect any decision that the club will take, and will do anything to make up for the mistake I made."
"I want to apologize from the depths of my heart for the hard things I said during the derby," Pnini's statement said. "I apologize to Jonathan and his family, to my club Maccabi Tel Aviv, the team, sports fans and to anyone who was hurt by this.
"I feel like I have disappointed the sport of basketball, the club, the fans and all the people who I love — and especially myself. As someone who should be an example for young people and youth, and who should preserve the values I grew up with and the club's value, I am ashamed of myself and the way I acted. I will respect any decision that the club will take, and will do anything to make up for the mistake I made."
Source
http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/104888/180
