Blue Demons dismayed at 'online bullying' following Neptune replay decision
Scoreboard at half time....There was a delay to the start of the game due to issues with the match scoreboard. At half time the scoreline was being contested. UCC Demons vs Energywise Ireland Neptune in the Domino’s Pizza Men’s Superleague quarter final at Mardyke Arena, UCC, Cork. Pic Larry Cummins
Blue Demons have hit out at what the club calls "online bullying" since the decision was announced that last weekend's playoff with Neptune will have to be replayed.
The National League Committee ruled that the fixture will be replayed following a scoring error made by a game official during the first quarter of last Sunday’s game at Mardyke Arena.
Demons say they have submitted about the decision to the NLC, but have also expressed dismay at some of the commentary around the decision online.
The statement read:
"There has been an intense response on social media and in the national media-some positive, some negative, and some that have no place in sport or society.
"The Blue Demons appointed officials acted with the highest level of integrity. No errors were made, and all actions, inputs, and deletions were intentional and carried out under the instructions of the Basketball Ireland match officials and game commissioner.
"Blue Demons has had no involvement in any Basketball Ireland or NLC proceedings and only received the outcome just moments before it was publicly announced. We have requested clarification on certain points before making a final decision on a replay is made.
"The cliché, "It's only a game, nobody died," unfortunately cannot be said for the victims of online bullying. If you want to know what a bully looks like, take a good look in the mirror-it may be you.
"If people have nothing better to do with their time, perhaps an afternoon watching the Netflix series Adolescence might help them understand the impact of online commentary and how far- reaching its effects can be on people's lives and families. So regardless of the outcome, be kind. If you can't be positive, be quiet.
"Blue Demons players and staff including the table officials did nothing wrong. Are we now the new victims of an injustice?
"We will issue a further statement and final decision once all of our queries have been answered by the NLC."
