Basketball On The Internet.

THE 5-match suspension handed out by the Euroleague to Real Madrid's French forward Guerschon Yabusele for his heinous and disgraceful body slam of an unsuspecting Dante Exum is almost as disgusting as the act was in itself, unnecessarily injuring the Aussie combo guard.

Exum was leading Partizan to a 2-0 playoff series lead with 19 points when he was mugged by Yabusele, lifted from behind and body-slammed into the hardwood as players from both teams engaged in a scuffle precipitated by Real guard Sergio Llull inside the last two minutes.

Teased by Kevin Punter's ball skills, Llull lost it and basically thugged him near the top of the key. Understandably unimpressed, Punter went back at him and the brawl quickly escalated.

Punter, was hit with a two-game ban. Gabriel Deck of Madrid and Matthias Lessort of Partizan were handed one-game bans for their roles in the melee. Both clubs were fined 50,000 euros ($55,000) for "unsportsmanlike conduct".

Llull - who incredibly escaped any punishment - took responsibility for the incident on social media, saying: "What happened last night should never happen on a basketball court. I take responsibility for making that harsh foul that triggered the subsequent disaster. My apologies to all basketball fans".

Given the fact he escaped suspension despite his pivotal role, only those who know Llull well can attest whether he was sincere or preparing for the worst from Partizan's potentially dangerous fanbase when Real Madrid goes to Belgrade for Game 3.

Yabusele's apology on Instagram read more like the club PR's version. 

"I deeply regret my behavior at last night’s game. Basketball is about sportsmanship and friendship. My sincere apologies to Partizan, a club with which we have always had a great relationship, to Dante Exum and his family, to my teammates, my club, and all the fans."

Yeah. Right.

The only redeeming aspect of that apology was at least no attempt was made to justify or explain Yabusele's ridiculous brain snap that could have cost Exum his career.

The paucity of Yabusele's penalty for one of the most violent and dangerous acts perpetrated on another player on a basketball court speaks volumes for how pathetic Euroleague management is - FIBA obviously its role model.

(Think FIBA penalties post Philippines-Boomers melee.)

The fact Punter copped a two-match ban while Llull had no case to answer also points strongly to just how Spanish-centric the Euroleague remains.

According to Partizan's club doctor Momo Jakovljevic, Exum suffered a ruptured tendon in his toe, his lip also bloodied. He is indeed, a lucky man.