'Difficult to remain quiet': Coach cleared, Aron Baynes banned for five NBL matches over wild altercation
Brisbane Bullets centre Aron Baynes has been banned for five NBL games after the former NBA big man was found guilty of several charges relating to a his side's heated Queensland derby loss to Cairns.
Baynes was charged with unsportsmanlike conduct, unacceptable act in basketball and excessive disputing, after being tossed from the match.
He furiously appealed to the referee after Taipans forward Lat Mayen elbowed Baynes in the neck as the pair jostled for a rebound.
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Baynes confronted Mayen and Taipans coach Adam Forde during the half-time break and reportedly punched a hole in a wall.
Aron Baynes was fuming over the contact. ESPN
Both Mayen and Baynes were ejected from the game before the third quarter began.
"I unreservedly accept that my conduct was unacceptable, and I have fallen short of the standard expected of a representative of the Brisbane Bullets and the NBL," Baynes said on Thursday night.
"I wish to sincerely apologise for my actions."
Forde was cleared of any wrongdoing by the league.
"Despite all the public speculation, I remained silent during this investigation as I felt this was the best course of action," Forde said.
"It has been difficult to remain quiet given all the accusations, but I have been comfortable knowing that once footage and audio was obtained, I would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
"The unedited and original CCTV footage and audio shows I was outside our team's change-room and proves I did not start the verbal conversation or instigate any physical exchange.
"I would like to thank the Cairns Taipans for their support during this process, the NBL and the Cairns community."
