FIBA World Cup: Australian Boomers and Philippines involved in ‘sickening’ all-in brawl
Australia’s basketball team has been involved in what is being described as one of the most sickening brawls in professional sports history.
The wild scenes erupted during the third quarter of Australia’s FIBA World Cup qualifying clash with the Philippines in Manila.
It’s understood the all-in brawl, which saw nine Philippine players and four Australians ejected from the game, was sparked after Philippines player Roger Ray Pogoy elbowed Australian Chris Goulding.
Confronting footage of the fight, which saw chairs thrown across the room, has since gone viral around the world.
This is effing nuts. World Cup qualifiers v Philippines. Full blown brawl pic.twitter.com/14vu4tSXFy
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 2, 2018
Chief Executive of Basketball Australia, Anthony Moore, issued a statement shortly after the incident.
“Basketball Australia deeply regrets the incident in tonight’s match between the Boomers and the Philippines in Manila. We are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it,” the statement read.
“This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball.
“We apologise to our fans and will await the penalties to be handed down.”
Basketball Australia also said on Twitter that all the Boomers team were safe and well.
Boomers team have confirmed all team are safe and well. More updates to come this morning.
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) July 2, 2018
FIBA has since confirmed that disciplinary proceedings against both teams are now open.
“The decision(s) will be communicated in the coming days,” they said.
Our basketball team have been involved in a DISGRACEFUL brawl which resulted in 13 players kicked out of the game.
First the cricket scandal, now this. Do Australians no longer value sportsmanship? #9Today pic.twitter.com/tE6xrO9zL8— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 2, 2018
