Officials identify ejected season ticket holder as claim of alleged racial slur provoked brawl

An alleged racial slur has been revealed to have been at the centre of the brawl between 36ers players and courtside seaters, as the NBL investigates what provoked the ugly scenes.

Officials have identified a season ticket holder ejected for his role in an ugly melee with Adelaide 36ers players during Sunday’s NBL match against Melbourne United.

It comes as another fan is alleged to have used racial abuse that sparked the mayhem at John Cain Arena.

It’s understood Adelaide officials weren’t aware of an alleged racist remark from a fan and it wasn’t part of the club’s submission to the NBL.

The claims that a 36ers player was racially abused during the chaos comes as it can be revealed NBL CEO Dave Stevenson was entertaining Channel 7 Head of Network Sport Chris Jones and his young family at the game, as basketball prepares to enter multi-million dollar broadcast negotiations.

Code Sports understands the courtside seat holder’s name is Allen Ibrahim, although he has no family connection to Sydney’s Kings Cross identity, John Ibrahim.

The courtside guests who provoked a brawl with the 36ers have been identified. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

It’s uncertain if Ibrahim invited the man wearing a grey hoodie to the United game as a guest.

Sources have confirmed it was the man’s first United match and he is unknown to club officials.

Video and images also captured Ibrahim exchanging words with Harrell and other players.

Ibrahim is known by Melbourne and Adelaide players. He is also mutual Facebook friends with Jason Cadee, Dejan Vasiljevic and United coach Dean Vickerman, although it is not known whether they know him personally.

The man in the grey hoodie was a guest invited by courtside seat holder Allen Ibrahim. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

As the melee unfolds, one of the 36ers players could be heard saying “Al, Al” in a bid to get his attention to stop the fight.

It comes as Adelaide import guard Kendric Davis is alleged to have been racially abused by a fan on the sidelines.

The incident, which saw four fans removed from the venue, has been referred to the NBL’s Game Review Panel (GRP).

SLEDGE THAT STARTED IT

As revealed by Code Sports, the physical altercation was sparked with Adelaide players after crowd members were verbally baiting 36ers star Montrezl Harrell in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

“Trez got up and they were swearing at him. He was incited, ‘That’s why you’re not in the NBA, you’ve got a f***ing s*** attitude’,” another source told Code Sports.

“The guy’s coming back from an ACL, that’s why he’s not in the NBA, he’s played eight years and he was a Sixth Man of the Year.

“Come on mate, you’re just a bloke sitting in the front row.”

Vision showed Adelaide 36ers player Montrezl Harrell stepped into the fan area.

Harrell was already frustrated after his tangle with United big man Rob Loe that resulted in an on-court fracas involving several players and staff just one minute into the fourth quarter.

The former NBA Sixth man of the Year slapped Ili’s face after the United guard rushed in and pushed him.

Both players were ejected from the game.

There is also footage circulating around the game that shows Harrell using a closed fist to punch Ili.

A source told Code Sports the Sixers would fight any allegation Harrell threw a punch amid growing tensions between the two clubs over the two incidents.

TENSIONS EXPLODE

Players from both teams returned to their respective benches as the referees reviewed the play.

This is when tensions exploded.

Harrell took exception to the fan’s sledges, with the ex-NBA star stepping over the sponsorship padding on the sideline to enter into the fans’ zone space.

It’s understood he said to the fans: “You can talk about basketball but don’t make it personal”.

Former AFL star turned passionate United member Brendan Fevola was also at the game within viewing of the ugly melee.

Fevola recalled his memories of the brawl when speaking on Melbourne radio on Monday morning.

“I was watching him (Harrell) the whole time thinking, ‘he is going to go nuts here,” said Fevola, who confirmed the video he posted online was sent to him from a fan.

“He was looking at a video screen to see if he’d get ejected and then the supporters next to the bench started chirping at him.

“Then they got up and it was on – fans versus players.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that with fans before.

“I think they (the fans and Harrell) are both to blame, but a fan can’t touch the players. That is the golden rule”

Kendric Davis was allegedly targeted with a racial slur. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

ALLEGED RACIAL COMMENT UPSETS PLAYER

Tempers reach breaking point when Adelaide import guard Kendric Davis approached Ibrahim and the man wearing the hoodie.

Code Sports has been told by sources that an unidentified man allegedly told Davis to: “Sit your black ass down on the bench”.

It is not alleged that Ibrahim made the comment.

The clearly upset guard replied: “Shut the f@#k up” and he was allegedly pushed by the man and then held back by teammates.

Ibrahim is also seen verbally engaging with Adelaide players.

36ers sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic also rushes in to protect his teammates and is pushed as tensions explode.

Venue management, United officials and former NBL star Brad Newley played a key role in stopping the pushing before four fans – including Ibrahim and the man wearing the hoodie - were ejected.

Davis could also be in hot water for allegedly making contact with a fan.

Originally published as Officials identify ejected season ticket holder as claim of alleged racial slur provoked brawl