Teen basketball star Ivan Suslov loses appeal to overturn 18-month suspension

A rising basketball star has lost a bid to appeal his hefty 78-week-long suspension for charges including striking, causing injury and tunnelling.

Ivan Suslov, was banned from Bulleen Basketball Club after an altercation with another player Picture: Tony Gough

A rising junior basketball star has lost a bid to appeal an almost 18-month suspension by the league’s peak association.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal Bulleen Boomers player Ivan Suslov, 14, — who was suspended by Basketball Victoria for 78 weeks over six misconduct charges including striking, causing injury and tunnelling — has been denied an appeal by Basketball Victoria.

Ivan’s dad, Leonid Suslov, said his son was “extremely disappointed” by the outcome and revealed the family would be taking legal action against Basketball Victoria.

“We have hired a lawyer and will be taking legal action against the association, we don’t wish to make any further comment at this stage,” Mr Suslov said.

Footage provided to the Sunday Herald Sun last month showed the two incidents which led to the lengthy suspension.

In the first, it was alleged Mr Suslov strikes the other player and in the second incident it’s alleged he caused tunnelling, which is knocking or pulling the legs of an airborne person.

When Ivan fronted a tribunal last month, he said he was extremely apologetic for his unsportsmanlike behaviour but felt the lengthy suspension and charges were “completely unreasonable”.

“I didn’t mean to injure the player. I was running fast with my eyes on the ball to defend our rim when he was going for the lay-up,” he said.

Ivan with his dad Leonid Suslov. Picture: Tony Gough

In Ivan’s letter of appeal, Mr Suslov argued several “breach of clauses” by Basketball Victoria including “not being able to present any evidence in defence of tunnelling charges because charges of tunnelling were not discussed at all during the tribunal hearing.”

Mr Suslov also said in the appeal the “reporting person or representative of the body failed to attend the tribunal as required in the clause”.

In a letter from Basketball Victoria appeals officer Noel Ross said Mr Suslov “failed to establish any ground for an appeal”.

“I have spoken with the chairman who has advised me that video evidence of the alleged tunnelling incident was shown during the hearing. He further advised me (and I accept) that you raised arguments based on the video evidence. Your allegation that “tunnelling” was not discussed during the hearing is therefore rejected,” Mr Ross said in the report.

“You claim there was significant detriment because the reporting official failed to attend the tribunal. Ivan was reported following an investigation conducted within accordance with paragraph 8 of the Basketball Victoria Tribunal By-laws,” he said.

A change.org petition calling for Basketball Victoria to overturn its decision has gathered more than 600 signatures.

A Basketball Victoria spokesman said: “The appeal was considered by an independent appeals officer, a senior retired lawyer, who has ruled that the appeal does not meet the criteria laid down in the by-laws.”