Tunisian Basketball Federation Postpones 3rd Semi‑Final Match of Pro A Championship
The Tunisian Basketball Federation (FTBB) announced on Monday that the third game of the semi‑final series in the Pro A championship has been postponed to a later date. The match, originally scheduled for Wednesday at the Aziz Miled Hall in Kairouan, was to pit Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise (JS Kairouan) against Club Africain.
Reason for the Postponement
A senior source within the FTBB explained:
“The decision to postpone the JS Kairouan – Club Africain match comes after an appeal filed by JS Kairouan following Game 2. The fixture cannot be rescheduled until the commission has ruled on this appeal.”
The source declined to disclose the exact nature of the appeal lodged by JS Kairouan.
JS Kairouan’s Complaint
In a statement to the TAP news agency on Monday, Slim Majbri, president of JS Kairouan’s basketball section, detailed the grievance:
“The team filed an appeal because of the referee’s conduct during Game 2 of the semi‑final series, which took place last Saturday at the El Gorjani Hall against Club Africain.
Initially, the referee expelled Club Africain’s Oussama Marnaoui and JS Kairouan’s Mohamed Menfi. A few minutes later, after entering the locker room and reviewing footage on a journalist’s camera, he reversed his decision and instead expelled two other players, not Marnaoui and Menfi.”
Majbri added that the referee committed a serious technical error:
“FIBA regulations do not allow a referee to overturn a decision unless video assistance (IRS) is used and other specific conditions are met – neither of which were available during this match.”
According to Majbri, JS Kairouan’s appeal requests that the game be replayed due to the referee’s technical mistake.
Recent Results in the Semi‑Finals
- Game 2 (Saturday, 7 March, El Gorjani, Tunis): Club Africain defeated JS Kairouan 86‑74, leveling the series at 1‑1.
- Game 1 (Wednesday, 4 March, El Gorjani): JS Kairouan won 87‑84, taking the early lead.
The third and fourth games were slated for the Aziz Miled Hall in Kairouan. If the series ends tied 2‑2, a decisive Game 5 would be played at El Gorjani.
Other Semi‑Final Bracket: US Monastir vs. Étoile du Sahel
In the opposite semi‑final, US Monastir leads 2‑0 after winning Game 2 of the “Super Play‑offs” against Étoile du Sahel (80‑74) on Sunday at the Mzali Hall in Monastir. Monastir also captured Game 1 (84‑64). The remaining games are scheduled for 12 March and 15 March in Hammam‑Sousse.
Results Summary
| Semi‑Final | Game | Date | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| II – US Monastir vs. Étoile du Sahel | 1 | Thu 5 Mar | Mzali Hall | US Monastir 84 – 64 Étoile du Sahel |
| 2 | Sun 8 Mar | Mzali Hall | US Monastir 80 – 74 Étoile du Sahel | |
| 3 | Thu 12 Mar | Hammam‑Sousse (14:00) | To be played | |
| 4 | Sun 15 Mar | Hammam‑Sousse (14:00) | To be played | |
| I – Club Africain vs. JS Kairouan | 1 | Wed 4 Mar | El Gorjani Hall | Club Africain 84 – 87 JS Kairouan |
| 2 | Sat 7 Mar | El Gorjani Hall | Club Africain 86 – 74 JS Kairouan | |
| 3 | Wed 11 Mar | Aziz Miled Hall (14:00) | Postponed | |
| 4 | Sat 14 Mar | Aziz Miled Hall (14:00) | Postponed |
What’s Next?
The FTBB’s disciplinary commission will review JS Kairouan’s appeal. Until a ruling is issued, the third and fourth semi‑final games between JS Kairouan and Club Africain remain postponed. Fans and stakeholders are advised to monitor official FTBB communications for the rescheduled dates.
Keywords: Tunisian Basketball Federation, FTBB, Pro A championship, semi‑finals, JS Kairouan, Club Africain, US Monastir, Étoile du Sahel, appeal, referee error, FIBA regulations.
