Kobe Bryant has been fined $100 000 by the NBA for using a derogatory gay term in frustration over a referee’s call.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner David Stern announced the disciplinary action on Wednesday, saying the distasteful term used by Bryant should never be tolerated.
The five-time NBA champion guard cursed and used a common homophobic slur when referee Bennie Adams called a technical foul on him on Tuesday night in the third-quarter of Los Angeles’ win over the Spurs. He also punched a chair and threw a towel during the outburst.
Gay rights groups condemned Bryant’s actions and demanded a full apology after Bryant issued a statement explaining his words came out of anger. Bryant has 15 technical fouls this season. — Sapa-AP