ELIZABETH, N.J. -- NBA referees will be cracking down this season on the kind of hits to the groin area that resulted in Draymond Greens suspension during the NBA Finals.They also will more closely monitor traveling after complaints from coaches that players are getting away with too many steps on the perimeter.The referees were informed and instructed about those items this week during their preseason meetings and training camp.The hits to the groin -- termed unnatural acts by the league -- are a point of emphasis after a number of situations involving Green during the postseason. Golden States All-Star forward had a habit of flailing his arms or legs and a few times made contact with opponents in the groin area.He was finally suspended after hitting Clevelands LeBron James during the Finals and missed Game 5 because of an accumulation of flagrant foul points. Cleveland rallied to beat Golden State for the title in seven games.Joe Borgia, the NBA senior vice president of replay and referee operations, said players are no longer just swinging their arms in attempt to draw a foul when taking a shot.Now all of a sudden legs are coming out in different directions at weird times, theyre coming higher, he said. Well, for the protection of the players, were going to stop it.Another point of emphasis is making sure players are allowed freedom of movement away from the ball.Critics have long griped that walking isnt called enough in the NBA, and coaches shared the complaint with officials at their recent meeting. Referees will watch especially for players who spot up behind the 3-point arc looking to shoot, but then are chased off by a defender and often get away with an extra step as they begin their dribble.Also, referees manning the Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, will continue to be given greater responsibility this season. Owners will vote on a plan in October to have the replay official make the ruling on all plays that are reviewed, except for ones involving flagrant fouls and fights.Former referee Lee Jones was voted the winner of the inaugural Greg Willard Spirit Award, recognizing a current or former official for his service, professionalism and leadership. Jones officiated 1,749 regular-season games and 71 playoff games from 1971-96.Bob Delaney, the NBAs vice president of referee operations and director of officials, said if an active referee wins the award, he would for one game wear the former No. 57 of Willard, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2013 at 54. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Matthew-Stafford-Draft-Jersey/ .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Custom Detroit Lions Jerseys . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Anthony-Zettel-Draft-Jersey/ . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Kenny-Golladay-Draft-Jersey/ . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Deshawn-Shead-Draft-Jersey/ . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. KIEV, Ukraine -- Russia and Ukraines political rivalry will extend into the world of football next year as they try to outdo each other in hosting two of the sports biggest events.Ukraines capital Kiev will play host to the Champions League final at its 70,000-capacity Olympic Stadium less than a month before Russias 2018 World Cup begins. The decision was announced by UEFA on Thursday.Just like in neighboring Russia, there are concerns over football-related racism and violence in Ukraine.While a game at the stadium Sunday between Dynamo Kiev and Zorya Luhansk appeared to pass without incident as Dynamo lost 1-0, the club has been repeatedly punished by UEFA for violence, racism and pitch invasions by its fans at the Olympic Stadium. There were also safety violations related to blocked stairways at the stadium.At a Champions League game against Chelsea in October last year, a gang of supporters believed to be from the hardline nationalist Rodychi group roamed the stands for much of the first half. They carried out unprovoked attacks on black fans and other supporters who opposed the rampage.UEFA ordered Dynamo to play its next two Champions League games behind closed doors, but there was further controversy when tthe stadiums director, Volodymyr Spilnichenko, suggested on Ukrainian TV he could consider segregating black fans into a separate sector of the stadium to avoid further racist incidents.dddddddddddd Spilnichenko later said his comments had been wrongly interpreted and he did not back segregation.After being awarded the 2018 Champions League final, stadium management did not respond to questions from The Associated Press on its security plans for the game, and whether security had been tightened to stop further violence.The Olympic Stadium previously hosted the final of the 2012 European Championship, which saw little trouble in Ukraine, which co-hosted the tournament with Poland.When Dynamo hosted Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in the Champions League group stage Wednesday, small groups of fans from both teams appeared to have tried to attack one another, but were thwarted by stewards and fences, according to pictures posted in online fan forums. 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