Halifax Rainmen assistant coach Pedro Monteiro to fight additional fine

The assistant coach of the Halifax Rainmen has fired back at the team's owners and the National BasketballLeague of Canada in a statement about a new $4,000 fine he faces after an investigation into the forfeiture of the championship game last month.

Pedro Monteiro was initially fined $5,000 for "conduct detrimental to the league" after the Rainmen forfeited Game 7 of the NBL Canada championship series for alleged safety reasons. He wasalso barred for life from coaching for the league.

Monteiro said the additional $4,000 fine, whichwas announced after the cancellation of Game 7 was investigated by the National Basketball League,is unfair. The latest investigation was not thorough, he claimed.

"I have not been contacted during any supposed investigation into the events on the morning of Game 7," he said in a statement released Monday.

"I have to declare that I haven't done anything that can justify this alleged fine."

'We are now being left alone'

Police in Windsor, Ont., were called to a fight between the Halifax Rainmen and the Windsor Express on April 30.

Words were exchanged and punches and chairs were thrown.

The incident happened after Express staff found the Rainmen practising in the WFCU Centre more than two hours before their scheduled 1 p.m. practice time. By the time police arrived, the fight was over and the Rainmen were back on their bus.

Monteiro said in his statement that he doesn't understand why his fines are being increased.

"All the decisions including not playing Game 7 we made together as a team, with the owner, for something that we believe," he said.

Monteiro said given the team and its management had made decisions as a unit before, he's made attempts to contact Andre Levingston the owner of the Halifax Rainmen to no avail.

"The owner of my team did not help or defend me. He has not even answered my calls," he said.

"We are now being left alone, without the owner, facing many fines with many questions unanswered."

The frustration into the championship game controversy is not limited to Halifax. The owner of the Windsor Express, Dartis Willis, echoed Monteiro's displeasure during a press conference in Windsor last week after he was also slapped with a $4,000 fine.

"The investigation was botched," Willis said at the time.

Monteiro said despite the controversy, he's still proud of the work he put in while assistant coach of the team. He said he plans to fight the decision and needs help to do so.

"I have spent an unforgettable eight months in the city of Halifax. During these eight months, I worked hard for the Halifax Rainmen. I helped them become Atlantic Division champions," he wrote.

"Last but not least I have to declare that I am very proud to be a part of this Halifax basketball team. I appreciate the fan support."