Pistons ban 2 fans from The Palace
John Green, Charlie Haddad barred over roles in brawl
 Chester Belecki / WDIV-TV via AP John Green, of West Bloomfield Township, Mich., was the fan who threw a cup that hit Indiana forward Ron Artest and started the brawl at The Palace on Nov. 19, according to County prosecutor David Gorcyca. |
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Two men were banned from events at The Palace for what the Detroit Pistons say is their involvement in last month’s NBA brawl.
John Green and Charlie Haddad were sent letters informing them of the ban, which also includes events at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said Wednesday. The Clarkston site is another holding of the Palace Sports and Entertainment organization.
Apart from Pistons games, the Palace hosts figure skating competitions and concerts. The DTE Energy Music Theatre holds concerts.
Green, of Oakland County’s West Bloomfield Township, is accused of lobbing a cup at Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest on Nov. 19, sparking the brawl. Haddad, of Burt, ran onto the court that night, Dobek said.
“They’re completely picking on the little guy,” Shawn Smith, Green’s lawyer, said Wednesday.
Ron Baker, an employee of MCC Inc., which does public relations work for the law firm representing Haddad, said: “Charlie would like to stress ... he’s an avid and loyal Pistons fan. He was injured in that brawl between the Pacers and the fans. He’ll have more to say in the future about it.
“He just wants to have his normal life back.”
The brawl spilled into the stands and led to three Indiana players being suspended for 25 or more games, including a season-long ban for Artest.
There is no telephone listing for Haddadd.
No criminal charges have been filed in the brawl. Oakland County prosecutor David Gorcyca said Tuesday police must finish their investigation first.
“It is obvious from the multitude of videotapes that numerous Pacer players and fans are implicated in criminal wrongdoing,” Gorcyca said in a statement. “To issue charges in haste and before a thorough investigation is completed would be irresponsible and a dereliction of our duties.”
Gorcyca had told The Detroit News that Pacers players will be charged, but declined to specify the players or charges.
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