Aussies ‘condemn’ FIBA verdict

The agents of Australian national team players Chris Goulding and Nathan Sobey are considering taking legal action against Gilas Pilipinas after expressing dismay over what they deemed were light punishments handed by FIBA in the brawl that marred a World Cup Qualifiers match last July 2.

Goulding and Sobey were among the prominent figures in the melee that resulted in the suspension of 10 Gilas players, coach Chot Reyes and assistant Jong Uichico for a total of 39 international games beginning in the September window of the qualifiers.

FIBA’s decision however didn’t sit well with Daniel Moldovan and the Mogul Sports Group – representatives of Goulding and Sobey.

“I am extremely disappointed in the ruling handed down by FIBA,” said Moldovan, whose client Goulding was given a one-game suspension. “Chris Goulding neither provoked or retaliated to a vicious mob assault and has been suspended by FIBA. This is quite simply a disgrace.”

The Mogul Sports Group, on the other hand, were taken aback with the length of suspensions given to the Gilas players, especially after Sobey was a victim of a chair thrown by Japeth Aguilar’s father Peter and a punch by Jio Jalalon, who was in street clothes as a reserve.

Sobey appeared to have acted as a peacemaker during the incident.

“The three game and five game suspensions that were handed down to those responsible for the cowardly assaults on Nathan are condemned to the highest possible degree,” Mogul said in a statement.

“Further, the fact that a suspension was not handed down to the individual who threw a chair at Nathan is of great concern,” the statement added, referring to the elder Aguilar.

Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore said moments after FIBA’s announcement that its federation will consider seeking clarification on additional sanctions against the Philippines.