Basketball: League looks into farce

British Basketball League clubs today begin deciding how to respond to the most damaging public relations disaster in their 18-year history, after the referee, Keith Williams, abandoned Saturday night's Trophy group game at Crystal Palace, because Milton Keynes Lions' recently-signed forward Robert Youngblood did not have a registration card with him.

British Basketball League clubs today begin deciding how to respond to the most damaging public relations disaster in their 18-year history, after the referee, Keith Williams, abandoned Saturday night's Trophy group game at Crystal Palace, because Milton Keynes Lions' recently-signed forward Robert Youngblood did not have a registration card with him.

The coach of home team London Towers, Robbie Peers, and general manager Rick Taylor were happy for Youngblood to play, but Williams crossed the 6ft 8in American's name off the scoresheet. With close to 500 bemused fans watching the bizarre events unfold, Williams gave the ball to London's American Jerry Williams who scored an unchallenged basket. Referee Williams, one of three officials, ended the game and gave Towers a 2-0 win.

The BBL chairman Vince Razaq, described the events as "ludicrous, it beggars belief."