Canberra Capitals coach Paul Goriss banned by WNBL for integrity breach

Remorseful Capitals coach Goriss says "I'm accountable for my own actions" after accepting confidential footage of an opposition team's scrimmage session from veteran referee Cosier.

Cosier supplied Goriss with confidential video clips of a Sydney training scrimmage that had been used for referee education purposes, leading into Canberra's season opening game against the Flames.

Basketball Australia's integrity unit referred the matter to an independent panel, which found Goriss and the Capitals "found no actual advantage" by gaining access to the footage.

But Goriss is banned from all coaching duties with both the Capitals and Australian Opals until January 20 for using some of the clips for opposition scouting, with Capitals assistant Kennedy Kereama to step in to lead Canberra over the coming month.

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The ban was handed down on the eve of Canberra's round four clash with the Bendigo Spirit at the National Convention Centre on Wednesday night.

"The referee had footage, or some clips, from Sydney playing a boys team and offered them to us to have a look at. I accepted the seven clips, probably used about three of them for our scouting for that game," Goriss said.

"As was in the report, there was no actual advantage gained from what the panel heard from using those clips in the outcome of the game.

"I was open and honest right from the very first phone call and interview I had. I'm not going to hide things. My character shows I'm a truthful and honest person. It's obviously a blip and I've admitted my guilt to accepting the footage.

"I've been remorseful, I'm accountable for my own actions, I was the one that accepted it. I could have chosen not to. I take ownership of my part in what happened."

Flames owner and chairman Paul Smith is calling for the result of the round one game, won by the Capitals 58-55 in Sydney, to be overturned and awarded to his club.

"We are bitterly disappointed by the actual incident but also the findings handed down by Basketball Australia's independent hearing panel," Smith said.

"This matter strikes right at the heart of the integrity of our league. While we will not comment on the individual suspensions handed down, we strongly disagree with the finding 'no actual advantage' was gained by the Capitals as a result of the actions of the coach and official.

"At no stage were any Sydney Flames coaching staff or players called to give evidence to the independent hearing panel to fully ascertain what took place during the game and the advantage derived by the Capitals.

"We believe at a minimum the Capitals should lose the points and the result should be overturned with the win awarded to the Flames."

A WNBL statement said the pair had misused inside information and engaged in "conduct that would impair public confidence in the integrity and good character of basketball and its participants".

The pair were found guilty of engaging in prohibited conduct under Basketball Australia's National Framework for Ethical Behaviour and Integrity in Basketball.

"We will not tolerate this behaviour in basketball. It is unprofessional and extremely disappointing at any level of the game," Basketball Australia chairman John Carey said.

Both parties have 14 days to appeal the decision.

Capitals general manager Lucille Bailie is adamant Goriss has the club's unconditional support.

"The Capitals take issues of sport integrity with great seriousness. Paul has demonstrated an exemplary character on and off the court over many years as we have all witnessed," Bailie said.

"Our organisation is uncategorically supportive of Paul now and into the future. From a practical point of view, assistant coach Kennedy Kereama will step into the head coach role while Paul carries out his five-game suspension.

"We are working with Goz through this situation and the penalty. The organisation is entirely supportive of Goz and his choices through the penalty period. As Goz suggested and as is one of the values of our club, we learn how to handle adversity."

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