Basketball great Andrew Gaze has labelled the investigation into Australia’s controversial World Cup loss to Angola a waste of time, but believes if the Boomers are guilty of tanking, “people should be fired”.
A day after a surprise defeat to Turkey knocked them out of the tournament in Spain, Australia learned they could face disciplinary action from the sport’s world governing body FIBA over the manner of their loss to Angola.
The Boomers rested several key players – including star centre Aron Baynes and sharp-shooting veteran Joe Ingles – and let a 15-point lead slip against Africa’s No.1 nation in their final group game in Gran Canaria.
The 91-83 loss meant Australia could not face the all-conquering USA team until the semi-finals but Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis rejected suggestions they lost on purpose.
It proved irrelevant after a 65-64 loss to Turkey in the Boomers’ sudden-death round of 16 game on Sunday, but Basketball Australia must now formally defend the performance against Angola or face possible sanctions such as a fine.
“The on-court behaviour displayed by Australia in that game generated huge disappointment by basketball fans and experts,” FIBA said in a statement on Monday.
“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.”
Slovenian NBA star Goran Dragic was among the fiercest critics of Australia’s performance, taking to Twitter after the match to urge FIBA to take action.
“Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!” he posted.
But Gaze, who sits on the Basketball Australia board, strongly defended the Boomers’ strategy and on Tuesday took aim at FIBA and their decision to investigate.
“It is (a waste of time),” Gaze said on SEN radio.
“It’s not dealing with the facts.
“I will be gutted and there should be people fired if they intentionally tanked. I stand by that.
“But I see this as player management, not as tanking.
“And now that we’ve lost, everyone’s wants to go `ah, the karma bus hit you’.
“If they had won that game against Turkey, we wouldn’t even be talking about this.”
Gaze acknowledged that Australia went into the Angola match unconcerned about losing.
“I’ll put my hand up and say that – they were not concerned about the result,” he said.
“The game means nothing. So why don’t you player manage?
“But those players that were playing, were absolutely – in my judgement – out there to win. No doubt about that.”
Injured Boomer Andrew Bogut agreed with Gaze after earlier questioning FIBA’s consistency.
“Well said Gazey, very Well said regarding FIFA…i mean FIBA,” he wrote on Twitter.
“So u can naturalize a plyer who has nver stepped foot in a country, but you cant rest players in a game 2 better a draw 4 youself? Ok @fiba.
“Love it or hate it I have seen this and much more occur many times @fiba tournaments I have played in since 2002 (incl. Juniors).”
Basketball Australia was expected to issue a statement on the issue on Tuesday afternoon.
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