South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari fined $10,000 for social media attack on referee

South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari has been fined by the NBL for attacking referee Nico Fernandez on social media.

South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari. Credit: phoenix Media

The NBL has fined South East Melbourne Phoenix Owner Romie Chaudhari after he targeted a referee on social media.

Property baron Chaudhari, understood to have a net worth approaching half-a-billion dollars, has been hit with a $10,000 fine for breaching the NBL’s Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy.

Chaudhari posted a photograph of referee Nico Fernandez and branded him a “definite front runner for worst ref ever, by a mile”.

South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari with former NBA point guard John Wall. Credit: Phoenix Media

“Refs aren’t going to get every call right, and that is totally understandable.... but this guy is exceptionally bad,” Chaudhari wrote, following last Friday night’s loss to Perth.

The NBL found the remarks in the now-deleted post to be “derogatory and disrespectful.”

“The NBL stands by the integrity of the game and its officials. Comments directed at referees and game officials are viewed seriously and will be investigated,” a league spokesman said at the time.

The sanction comes ahead of Saturday night’s post-season shaping clash with state rival Melbourne United.

The Phoenix can finish anywhere from third to fifth, depending on results.

Originally published as South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari fined $10,000 for social media attack on referee