“Shame on You”: Luka Doncic’s Coach Attacks Refs for Ignoring France’s Hostile Act vs Lakers Star

Luka Doncic’s EuroBasket 2025 campaign took another dramatic turn during Slovenia’s clash with France, as his head coach Aleksander Sekulic unleashed a fiery outburst at officials late in the fourth quarter. The flashpoint came when Doncic, pressured by a French defender, was shoved off balance as the ball was stolen. Despite the visible contact, referees swallowed their whistles—ignoring what Slovenia’s bench argued was an act of unsportsmanlike behavior. To make matters worse, Doncic was then hit with a technical foul after protesting, further inflaming tensions.

Sekulic, visibly enraged, stood up and barked “Shame on you!” at the referees, a rare public display of frustration from the usually composed coach. His reaction underscored what many within Slovenia’s camp feel has been a recurring theme: Doncic’s lack of protection from officials on the international stage.

EUROBASKET UPDATE: Ref controversy! Luka Doncic doesn’t get the call on unsportsmanlike behaviour, Slovenia coach calls out officials with “Shame on you,” gets a technical in return: #NBA #EuroBasket2025 #LakersNation #referee pic.twitter.com/4cp1b6ilum

— Vaibhavi Malhotra (@vmalhotraaa) August 30, 2025

This isn’t the first time Doncic’s relationship with referees has dominated headlines. From his ejection in an NBA game against the Thunder earlier this year—later rescinded by the league—to his pointed “FIBA is probably happy” remark after Slovenia’s 2021 Olympic semifinal loss to France, the superstar has developed a reputation for clashing with authority.

FIBA officiating, known for its stricter stance and lack of “star treatment,” only heightens those tensions. Minor contact often goes unpunished, and referees tend to prioritize game flow over calling marginal fouls. In this case, the French defender’s shove was seen by Slovenia as an unsportsmanlike act, but the officials deemed it incidental.

For Slovenia, the sequence proved costly, disrupting their momentum in a tight contest. For Doncic, it added to a growing history of officiating controversies that continue to follow him across both NBA and FIBA courts. And for Sekulić, it was a breaking point—one punctuated by three searing words: “Shame on you.”

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