FIBA today released a statement regarding Australia following their dubious 91-83 loss to Angola on the final day of Group D action in Gran Canaria.
Comfortably leading 42-29 at the half, Australia played the second half without a care in the world, and it looked like they were playing to lose. Which meant that they would avoid USA until the semi-finals.
It generated a lot of widespread criticism from the basketball world, most notably from Slovenia’s Goran Dragic, who took to Twitter to take a swipe at the Boomers.
Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) September 4, 2014
Here is FIBA’s official statement:
BARCELONA – FIBA has announced it is opening disciplinary proceedings against Australia following the manner in which the team lost its last Group D game against Angola, 91-83 in Gran Canaria last Thursday.
The on-court behaviour displayed by Australia in that game generated huge disappointment by basketball fans and experts. It is widely suspected that Australia lost that game in order to avoid having to face the reigning world champions USA until the Semi-Finals.
Basketball Australia has an opportunity to state its case before FIBA decides whether and to what extent disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed.