NEWCASTLE Eagles have been left stunned after star man Trey Moore was hit with a five-game ban for swearing at a referee during last month’s controversial defeat at Mersey Tigers.
The BBL handed down the unprecedented punishment to Moore for a “serious breach of the disciplinary code” in the aftermath of a fiery 88-84 reverse to the Tigers on March 22, a game dogged by contentious refereeing.
And while Moore has subsequently sustained a foot injury that has ruled him out of the play-offs and ended his season prematurely, Newcastle are unhappy at the length of the ban.
The Eagles will appeal the suspension, which the Houston-born point guard will have to serve next season as he has already been de-registered to make way for replacement Drew Lasker.
Eagles managing director Paul Blake said: “It has set a heavy precedent and we will be putting in an appeal.
“I don’t condone at all what happened but it was, as far as I understand, in the corridor, out of view of the public. We don’t believe anyone else heard it.
“It is a serious problem for us if it stands because Trey has been de-registered so it would carry over to next season. Obviously it becomes an issue if Trey comes back next season, which is something we’re interested in.
“It does seem overly harsh to us. It is more than 10% of his season and this was a highly, highly charged game that was played between two teams going for the title.
