Basketball Coach Ejected for Scuffle With Fan Who Reportedly Heckled Wife

A Chinese Basketball Association coach was ejected from a game Wednesday after a scuffle in which he appeared to grab a fan by the throat.

Memi Becirovic, who coaches the Jiangsu Dragons, confronted the fan in the third quarter, according to the news site Xinhuanet, which cited local reports as suggesting the fan had made an offensive gesture toward Lance Stephenson — who plays for the Liaoning Flying Leopards after nine seasons in the NBA — before subsequently becoming involved in an altercation with the Slovakian coach's wife.

After engaging in a war of words, Becirovic tried to grab the fan by the neck, causing him to fall backward.

The 58-year-old was pulled away and restrained by players and staff.

Watch the encounter here:

After a video review, the referee ejected Becirovic and the fan, who apparently continued their spat as they left the court, according to Xinhuanet.

The Chinese site said Becirovic would face a one-match ban that could increase pending an investigation from the CBA.

The CBA did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Becirovic's Dragons lost to the Flying Leopards, 111-103, leaving them 13th in the CBA standings.

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