[REVISION HISTORY]

ABA League referee dispute resolved; season to restart

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-30 07:01 UTC → 2026-09-30 07:29 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The ABA League and ABA 2 basketball seasons remain delayed due to an escalating dispute between league management and approximately 63 referees. The officials, represented by lawyer Danijel Papak, have demanded increased compensation, including base fees of 1,200 euros per regular season game and up to 2,000 euros for finals, alongside bonuses, health insurance, and injury compensation. League leadership has rejected these demands, labeling them as extortion. Following a failed three-hour negotiation on September 27, the competition’s start date remains uncertain. While a compromise of 700 euros per match was discussed, the league ultimately rejected a counter-proposal from the referees that included additional terms such as changes to regulations and increased travel and meal allowances. In response to the deadlock, ABA League President Ostoja Mijailović announced that the league would move forward by appointing a new officiating list. Miguel Angel Perez, President of the Referee Commission, has begun forming this new roster through an open application process. Despite this move toward stabilization, the dispute has raised concerns about potential lawsuits for damages from participating clubs, including Dubai, Slovan Bratislava, Vienna, and Cluj, if the season faces further disruption. On September 29, the league announced that the dispute regarding referee assignments has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. The ~~ABA Liga is now scheduled to begin its~~ conflict, which involved referees declining nominations following an anonymous email, will not prevent the season ~~on Friday, October 2.~~ from proceeding. While the postponed opening round matches ~~that were postponed~~ will be ~~rescheduled for a later date,~~ rescheduled, the ~~regular~~ season ~~will proceed as planned.~~ is set to officially commence this weekend with the second round of games. Scheduled matchups include Cibona traveling to face Cedevite Olimpija in Ljubljana, and Zadar hosting Studentski centar. Slovan Bratislava is ~~set~~ scheduled to play its historic debut match against Igokea m:tel Aleksandrovac on October 3.

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