Sky F Astou Ndour's Ejection Rescinded Amid Social Media Controversy
Ndour will be on the floor for the Sky when they take on Phoenix in the WNBA playoffs
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A day after Chicago Sky forward Astou Ndour was ejected from a game against the Washington Mystics, the WBNA has rescinded the ejection and a technical foul assessed after an incident involving a referee.
The incident occurred during the Sky’s season finale against Washington. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Sky forward Cheyenne Parker was assessed a technical foul after the conclusion of a play, and Ndour was trying to get the attention of the referee, pointing to her forearm.
As she did so, the referee walked past her and the two appeared to make incidental contact. The referee then immediately called for Ndour to be ejected from the game, and she ultimately was escorted from the floor.
After the game ended, Ndour posted a video of the incident on her Twitter feed, saying she didn’t agree with the decision, but that she respected it:
“I have always shown great respect for the referees and my career supports me,” she said. “I still don’t understand very well what happened today and I don’t agree, but I respect the decision. I will continue to work hard.”
After the incident, social media lit up with criticism of the league and the official involved, saying that he had dramatically overreacted to the contact made with Ndour.
The league seemingly agreed, determining that the technical foul was improperly assessed.
“After a league review, we have determined that the technical foul against Chicago’s Astou Ndour should not have been assessed,” the league said in a statement. “The technical foul and subsequent ejection have been rescinded.”
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 05: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) scrambles with the football in game action during a NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on September 5th, 2019 at Soldier Field, in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the game at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears is brought down by Dean Lowry #94 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 05: Leonard Floyd #94 of the Chicago Bears reacts during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the game at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Sky GM and Head Coach James Wade said the team was "pleased" with the league's decision in the manner.
"I would like to thank all of the players and coaches who reached out and were supportive, as well as the fans who spoke out and had our back. We truly appreciate that," he said in a statement. "That is why this is the best league in the world. Now, we're focused on the playoffs."
The Sky, who finished fifth in the WNBA standings, will host the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night in the opening round of the postseason. The winner-take-all game will be televised on ESPN2, and will take place at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
