NLL National Lacrosse League

Saints' Naglieri Suspended for Season

Published on February 6, 2003 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release


The National Lacrosse League has suspended New York Saints defenseman Tom Naglieri for the remainder of the 2002-2003 season, plus four additional games for his conduct occurring during the New York Saints vs. Colorado Mammoth game January 31, in Denver. The league found two violations of Rule 93 a) (Physical Abuse of Officials) with improper contact with Referee Hans Wittleberger. The League has also issued fines to Naglieri totaling $2,500.00 for his actions.

Naglieri was ejected from the game with 49 seconds remaining in the 4th period following an altercation with the Colorado Mammoth's John Gallant #11.

The league found Naglieri violated Categories I & III of Rule 93 a). A Category I violation carries an automatic suspension for the balance of the season. The league assessed a $2000 fine in connection with this violation.

A Category III suspension carries a minimum one game suspension. The league assessed a two game suspension to Naglieri for the Category III violation, plus a $500 fine was assessed. An additional two game was also assessed for repeatedly violating Rule 93 a) as provided for in the rule.

Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement entered into between the National Lacrosse League and the Professional Lacrosse Players Association, the player has 72 hours to appeal any disciplinary action taken by the league.

An investigation into Naglieri's off-field behavior immediately following his ejection from the game is ongoing.

NLL Rule 93: PHYSICAL ABUSE OF OFFICIALS

a)Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an Official, in any manner attempts to injure an Official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an Official solely for purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty.

In addition the following disciplinary penalties shall apply:

Category I

Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall automatically be suspended for the remainder of the Year. Also, the future playing status of a player will be reviewed following the season. (For the purpose of the Rule, "intent to injure" shall mean any physical force which a player known or should be expected to cause injury.)

Category II

Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an Official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category One), which physical force is applied without the intent to injure, shall be automatically suspended for not less then five (5) games.

Category III

Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than one (1) game.

Immediately following the game in which such game misconduct penalty is imposed, the referee shall, in consultation with the other officials, decide the category of the offense. The League shall review all such game misconduct penalties and pending the completion of this review it may:

1)Sustain the number of games within the category and/or fine the player

2)Increase the number of games within the category and/or fine the player

3)Change to a lower category

4)Change to a lower category and increase the number of games within the category and/or fine the player

In the event that the player has committed more than one offense under this rule, in addition to the penalties imposed under this offense, his case shall be referred to the League for consideration of supplementary disciplinary action.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 6, 2003


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