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New_York
31 January:
Mammoth tramples
Saints, 19-13
 

 
 

News Update 6 February 2003

Saints' Naglieri suspended for season

New York d'man bounced for hitting ref; more punishment to come?

R.A. Philly
Outsider's Guide Editor in Chief


The National Lacrosse League today suspended Tom Naglieri for the remainder of this season, plus a quarter of the 2004 season, for striking a referee during a game last weekend.

Naglieri also was fined $2500 for his actions.

The league ruled that Naglieri violated the most serious sections of the rule against abuse of officials.

Naglieri had been fighting the Mammoth's John Gallant in the last minute of Friday's 19-13 loss at Colorado, and after the players were separated, he repeatedly hit referee Hans Wittelsberger.

In suspending Naglieri, the league ruled that he hit Wittelsberger with intent to injure. This violates Category I of NLL Rule 93 (reprinted in its entirety below), and is punishable by a suspension for the balance of the season.

In addition, Naglieri's eligibility to return next season is subject to review in the offseason.

Even if Naglieri is permitted back next season, he will miss the first four games. The league tacked on two games for violating Category III (use of force in escaping an official after an altercation) and two more for violating Category I multiple times.

Naglieri has the right to appeal the disciplinary action, and the Outsider's Guide has learned that he intends to do so. He would then be eligible to play in tonight's game against Colorado at Nassau Coliseum, pending a hearing on the appeal, but there is no guarantee that Saints coach Pat McCabe would dress him.

The suspension and fine are each believed to be the largest the league has ever issued, short of permanent expulsion, for an on-field incident.

However, that's hardly the only problem Naglieri has. A Denver newspaper reported that as he was leaving the field of play, Naglieri threatened to break a photographer's camera and asked the man, who is Hispanic, "Why don't you go back to the Middle East?"

There are also reports that Naglieri made an obscene gesture as he was leaving the floor.

A league investigation of Naglieri's off-field behavior continues, and more sanctions are possible.



NLL Rule 93: PHYSICAL ABUSE OF OFFICIALS

a)

Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an Official, in any manner attempts to injure an Official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an Official solely for purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty.

In addition the following disciplinary penalties shall apply:

Category I
Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall automatically be suspended for the remainder of the Year.
Also, the future playing status of a player will be reviewed following the season. (For the purpose of the Rule, “intent to injure” shall mean any physical force which a player known or should be expected to cause injury.)

Category II
Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an Official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category One), which physical force is applied without the intent to injure, shall be automatically suspended for not less then five (5) games.

Category III
Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than one (1) game.

Immediately following the game in which such game misconduct penalty is imposed, the referee shall, in consultation with the other officials, decide the category of the offense. The League shall review all such game misconduct penalties and pending the completion of this review it may:

  1. Sustain the number of games within the category and/or fine the player
  2. Increase the number of games within the category and/or fine the player
  3. Change to a lower category
  4. Change to a lower category and increase the number of games within the category and/or fine the player

In the event that the player has committed more than one offense under this rule, in addition to the penalties imposed under this offense, his case shall be referred to the League for consideration of supplementary disciplinary action.
b) Any Club Executive, Manager, Coach or Team Staff who holds or strikes an official, shall be automatically suspended from the game, ordered to the dressing room, and the matter shall be referred to the League for further disciplinary action (fine and/or suspension).

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