The Lebanese Basketball Federation has announced a series of disciplinary measures following incidents in the second and third games of the 2025-2026 season's final series of the Lebanese First Division for men, between Riyadi Beirut and Hikma Beirut. This follows a review of reports from observers and referees, examination of game recordings, and hearing from witnesses and involved parties.
The federation decided to financially penalize the clubs, imposing a fine of $25,000 on Riyadi Beirut and $10,000 on Hikma Beirut, with the spectator ban being exceptionally replaced with financial penalties.
The federation also suspended supporters Mustafa Daouk, Ahmad Khazal, Walid Daibas, Omar Aytani, Rabee Abi Achta, and Mahmoud Mazbouh from Riyadi for an entire season due to insults, slanders, and defamation during the games.
On the technical side, the federation fined Riyadi's coach Ahmed Fran $4,000, and Hikma’s coach Joe Gattas $2,000 due to events that occurred between them during the matches.
Additionally, Hikma player Seiko Dubuja was fined $4,000, with suspension replaced by this penalty, because of gestures aimed at the opposing team's fans, as stated in the decision.
The Lebanese Basketball Federation assured that these decisions were made exceptionally to ensure the smooth conduct and completion of the final series in a sporting atmosphere. They emphasized that any future violations or transgressions will lead to doubled penalties and the imposition of suspensions on violators to maintain the integrity of the championship and the image of Lebanese basketball.
