Chalon-sur-Saône’s only victory over Villeurbanne in the French championship has been withdrawn for a change that was not made at the right time. The match will have to be replayed.
The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced on Wednesday that it would award a replay to Chalon-sur-Saône for the 5th day of the Betclic Elite championship (109-107 after three overtimes), following a complaint lodged by the Villeurbanne club. The claim related to a substitution requested by Asvel with 8 seconds remaining in the final quarter: instead of being made before the two free throws awarded to Joffrey Lauvergne, it was only made between his two attempts, the FFBB said.
The Villeurbanne inside player had missed his first attempt, and his club, which was trailing 79-74 at the time, argued that he should have been awarded two new free throws once the change had been made. “After having heard both clubs on October 30, judged the admissibility of the claim and then studied it on its merits, the Commission Fédérale Haut-Niveau des Officiels has decided to give this match a replay.” indicated the FFBB.
This was Élan Chalonnais’s only league win, putting them level on points with La Rochelle, promoted to Betclic Elite this season. Excluding this result, Asvel’s league record is 5 wins to 1 defeat.