AdmiralBet ABA League clubs presented with detailed officiating analysis of opening four Rounds

The Sports Department of ABA League j.t.d. management held a Zoom meeting with representatives of all 20 AdmiralBet ABA League clubs, during which officiating was discussed. Miguel Ángel Pérez, Chairman of the Referees Commission, presented a detailed report on officiating in the first four rounds, demonstrating his commitment to transparency. The report provided an objective assessment based on all available data, with the aim of evaluating the quality of officiating during the first four rounds of the season.

Comparisons were also made with the same number of rounds from the previous season. The analysis contained no subjective assessments and was based entirely on measurable and verifiable data.

“We started the season by preparing a Criteria Manual, which was distributed to referees, observers and clubs. It outlines the most important game situations and defines the criteria to be applied. In addition, we work with referees and observers on a weekly basis. We organise online meetings during which we analyse all officiating performances from each round and highlight areas where there is room for improvement,” Pérez summarised following the meeting, adding that the Referees Commission uses a new technological tool that enables high-quality video footage to be replayed.

He explained that, after each game, the observers conduct an initial assessment of the officiating and report their findings to the Referees Commission.

“Meetings are also held with referees both before and after each game. Subsequently, the Referees Department receives this initial assessment, analyses it and, if necessary, makes appropriate adjustments regarding specific situations. This means that every game undergoes a double analysis. Finally, we prepare a list of key plays from each game, accompanied by the relevant video clips. This list is first sent to the two teams involved in the game and the referees who officiated it. At the end of the day, consolidated analyses of all games are then distributed to all teams and referees.”

The scale of this work is illustrated by the fact that approximately 180 situations are analysed on average per round.

“The quality of officiating can be discussed in general and subjective terms, but we have not received a single inquiry from the clubs questioning or disputing any of the 722 situations analysed during the first four rounds. That is an objective fact. In games where the quality of officiating has been assessed as below the expected average, this process is further expanded, with every decision throughout the game analysed in detail. In this way, every officiating decision, from the first to the last second, is examined individually,” Pérez emphasised.

He particularly stressed that active communication with all clubs is maintained and that all data relating to officiating analyses are fully transparent and made available to the clubs without any restrictions.

“We started the season with an online meeting involving all head coaches and sports managers of ABA League and ABA 2 League clubs. During that meeting, we explained that the refereeing list would be completely new and that the referees would need a period of adaptation to the League. This is perfectly normal when someone starts working in a new competition for the first time, with new rules, players and teams they are not yet familiar with. Similarly, when players and coaches join a new club, they need time to adapt and become familiar with the team's playing systems. The same principle applies to referees.”

It should also be noted that, at the end of each round, the clubs receive an Officiating Review Statistical Overview, prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

“This report consolidates the Referees Commission's data on officially recorded events from the ABA League's play-by-play statistics and match statistics, together with the observers' assessments documented in the Key Play reports covering all ten games in each round. The material reviewed in the Key Play reports contains an average of 180 items. Furthermore, following the completion of the first four rounds this season, we provided an additional report comparing statistical data from the same period of the previous 2025/26 season and the current 2026/27 season.”

Miguel Ángel Pérez also announced a seminar for all referees on the ABA League's list, scheduled for late November.

“It is very important for us to hold this seminar and, in addition to working remotely, have the opportunity to work together in person. This will greatly help us improve on-court officiating mechanics, communication, as well as the application and protocols of IRS, alongside other areas of work. In addition, we will conduct physical fitness tests and rules tests.

“We will also have the opportunity to hear opinions on the game and officiating from people who are not referees, which will allow us to gain a different perspective. To this end, we will organise a round-table discussion featuring former players who also have experience as sports directors or coaches: Pero Antić, Nikola Lončar and Veljko Mršić. Furthermore, the seminar will welcome guest experts Luigi Lamonica, Head of Officiating in Italy, and Dragan Medan, a member of the EuroLeague Referees Commission.”

Pérez stressed that work is being carried out every week to improve the quality of officiating.

“So far, we have played 40 games across four rounds. We cannot say that officiating has been perfect or even very good, but it has met the standard we set. Of the 40 games played, officiating was below the expected level in two, representing a 5 per cent share. In many other games, the performance was at an ordinary level, while in some it was good.

“Of course, we still do not have enough data to draw final conclusions, but it is important to point out that there has not been a single game among the 40 played in which refereeing errors determined the winner.”

He particularly wanted to highlight who conducted the initial officiating assessments in the games from the most recent round.

“The observer for the Zadar – Perspektiva Ilirija game, which ended with Zadar winning by 25 points, was Dragan Medan, a member of the EuroLeague Referees Commission. The observer for Spartak – Partizan was Časlav Čukalović, also a EuroLeague observer. In both games, officiating was rated above average, yet subsequent statements questioned the officiating,” Pérez said, concluding with the following message:

“We are open to comments from the clubs regarding our game reports, as well as to providing additional explanations and holding discussions whenever the clubs consider them necessary. We have even reviewed three of the 722 analysed situations again, subsequently replacing the initial assessments with new conclusions,” Pérez concluded.