FIBA has issued a whopping 13 suspensions from the infamous ‘basketbrawl’ between Australian and the Philippines in their recent World Cup qualifier.
Ten Philippines players, two Philippines coaches, and three Australian players were all suspended for their role in the fight that caught the attention of sporting news outlets around the world.
Controversially, Chris Goulding was issued a one-game ban for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’, despite his role in the brawl appearing to be little more than getting piled on by several Filippino players.
Daniel Kickert, whose elbow to the head of an opponent arguably started the brawl, received a five-game suspension for his involvement, while Thon Maker was handed a three-game ban for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ his flying karate kicks around the court.
The suspensions apply to international matches only, meaning neither the NBA nor NBL are affected by the ruling.
Basketball Australia were also fined roughly $135,000, which was partly due to ‘abuse and/or tampering of equipment’ – in line with Philippine allegations that the Boomers had ripped up sponsors markings during their warm-up.
However, the report found no Australian players or officials had made racist comments throughout the match.
Kickert’s five-game suspension was the second-longest of any of the bans handed out. Only Calvin Abueva received a longer penalty, with his six-game suspension only that length because of his poor prior record.
Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz, Jio Jalalan (five games each), Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro William, Andray Blatche (three), Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright (one) were all rubbed out by basketball’s governing body, while assistant coach Joseph Uichico (three matches) and head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes (one) were also banned.
The national Filippino basketball federation was fined $337,000, while their next FIBA World Cup qualifier will be played in front of no fans or television cameras.
Only one Filippino player, Gabe Norwood, escaped suspension.
In addition to the team penalties, the match referees have also been stood down for their failure to control the match and are ineligible to officiate international matches for one year.
Basketball Australia CEO Andrew Moore said they “regretted their involvement” in the incident and thanked Australian basketball fans for their understanding. He called the findings “comprehensive” said the penalties were “significant” on both teams.
Calling the accusations of racist comments “absolutely baseless”, Moore thanked FIBA for the “thoroughness” of the process they undertook and deemed it “unlikely” they would challenge Goulding’s ban, although admitted it was “tough to swallow” that he could be suspended despite being under such a large pile-up.
Moore also admitted it “wasn’t the smartest decision in the world” for Australian players to rip up sponsor decals during their warm-up, seemingly hinting they wouldn’t contest the $135,000 fine.
However, he did note that FIBA’s findings claimed Australia didn’t do enough to restrain their players in the brawl, which he seemed visibly unhappy with, only saying that the incident happened very quickly and that they’d “peel away the layers” in their own review.
When asked for his opinion on the appropriateness of the Filipino penalties, Moore said it wasn’t his job to comment their sanctions, but noted that their next match would be played behind closed doors, with no crowd or television coverage, which he called a “double penalty”.
He said it was arguably the highest possible penalty short of banning them from qualification.
NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger reiterated that the suspension would not apply to the domestic competition, and thanked FIBA for its comprehensive investigation.
“While it was certainly a regrettable incident it was by no means a reflection of Australian basketball,” he added.
Australia had already built a substantial 31-point lead when the incident broke out in the third quarter.
While the match was not abandoned – despite so many Filippino players being ejected they couldn’t even field a side – the home team eventually fouled themselves out of the game to force an early finish.
Brendon
Guest
Considerably higher? Mate you must be joking right? They jumped the freaking advertisement, gang swamped out players and led an all out attack for tech foul? In Australia, they'd be freaking arrested for the assault. In the NBL or NBA, they'd be banned. Damn, I've seen NBA players get into a small fight and get banned for multiple weeks. This is shameful on the part of FIBA. But of course, you'll probably complain next about the Aussies wripping up some precious stickers? Idiots...
peeeko
Roar Guru
she would be disappointed there wasnt
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Goulding gets one week for unsportsmanlike behavior - all he allegedly did was give some lip to a bloke who was elbowing and niggling the Aussies, brought on by the Phillipino coach with those specific instructions. Is Goulding suspended for being over-competitive? For taking a charge? It seems like he was suspended for being gang-assaulted. And the Aussies fined $134k for not doing enough to restrain their players? Are you kidding. With the exception of Maker, the Aussies deserve a medal from FIBA for their unbelievably exemplary restraint! The Philippine player who runs off the bench and king-hits Goulding, only gets 5 matches? The coach and officials who joined the fracas and threw punches / kicks at peaceful, defenseless people get one or two matches?! Shame, shame, shame FIBA. I think the Aussies need to consider how to take a stand against this poor decision and bring FIBA to account for it's ridiculously political, gentle slaps.
bazza200
Guest
This is such crap. I can't believe that the Australian Team isn't appealing against something who gets a one game ban for being bashed. I would love to ask the know what they say he could of done to change that. They also said there wasn't enough done by the staff to stop Aussies getting involved. So they held back the bench. Sad for basketball. I think i would of been harsher on the players involved 5 games isn't enough either.
MQ
Guest
At the very start, I had this fear that FIBA would treat Australia on an equivalent basis to the Phillipines, i.e. that they were equally culpable, so my first reaction is that I'm happy that hasn't happened. But, now that I've mulled this over, it seems rather weak that certain officlals, who not only egged on their players to get involved, but threw punches themselves and hit the heads of unsuspecting Australian players, have got off with a one match holiday, when they were realistically looking at life-time bans. That doesn't compute.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, as much as we think Gilas got off lightly from this, it certainly seems to have sobered a lot of their keyboard heroes up.
BrainsTrust
Guest
This is the stupidest ruling in history, 1 game suspension for being gang bashed. FIBA is a complete joke. No doubt the Phillipines government has been on the blower, the Australian government did anyone hear a whisper from them.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
In which articles is it not apparent?
Damo
Guest
Side note - Tracey Holmes and the ABC owe some people an apology as the report found no racial abuse was present during the game.
Glen
Guest
Australian penalties seem alright for the players. BA fine a bit rough. Philippines should be booted from remaining qualifiers. Closed doors is good but pretty weak penalty. Suspensions for the Philippines players and officials are pretty pathetic. Would have thought 12 month to lifetime bans for some. Referees penalty way too harsh. I thought they did everything right except the time taken to reach a decision. Even continuing play enabled a safer way to get the crowd to leave.
JuBe
Guest
Ridiculous for Goulding to be sanctioned and unbelievably soft on the Philippines.
Damo
Guest
Hard to judge. Some seem fair, others not. Goulding's suspension is just plain bonkers and BA fine seems disproportional though it seems to be more related to the court stickers the previous days. Kinda like the idea of the closed session match, a leaf taken from football in Europe by the looks. That will hurt them financially more than anything else. Unfortunately Maker may not play another international game. As I predicted - Phillipine players got off way to lightly. Didn't want to upset a rising market in SE Asia.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Also, what on the planet was Goulding suspended for? Being used as a punching bag?
JVGO
Guest
Goulding's head must have hurt the chair I guess.....what a thug.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Is this a stitch up? The bloke who punched Sobey should have got years, maybe life. Not 5 god damn games. I get the whole next game behind closed doors thing, but this is an absolute joke.
cantab
Guest
Well done to FIBA. Not apparent in some articles, but the Philippian team has been sanctioned considerably harder than the Boomers (rightfully so). Including having to play games behind closed doors and in total 450K fines.