P13-M FINE, SUSPENSIONS METED OUT
Fiba also metes out various suspensions for players and coaches
The FIBA Disciplinary Panel on Thursday announced its decision to suspend 13 players and two coaches as well as to impose fines and other sanctions on the national federations of Philippines and Australia. FIBA has also suspended the officiating crew of the game.
During the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers game between Philippines and Australia at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last July 2, a fight broke out midway through the third quarter and soon turned into a wider and more violent brawl.
Thirteen players were disqualified and the game was resumed but eventually had to be stopped once Philippines were left with one player.
FIBA launched a disciplinary proceeding right after the game and referred the matter to its Disciplinary Panel, which has now issued two decisions.
Calvin Abueva got the longest suspension at six games, while Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz and Jio Jalalon got five games each. Terence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Andray Blatche and Jeth Rosario got three-game bans. Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright got one-game suspension.
Assistant Coach Joseph Uichico is suspended for three games, while Chot Reyes got a three game ban and a P535,000 fine for inciting unsportsmanlike behavior. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc (SBP), got the biggest fine at P13.4 million, and has been ordered to play its next home game against Iran in closed doors.
Three Australians were also suspended--Chris Goulding (1 game), Thon Maker (3 games) and Daniel Kickert (5 games)--while their association got a P5.3 million fine.
The referees were also sanctioned and will no longer be barred from officiating in zonal and sub-zonal tournaments for a year.
SBP president Al Panlilio said in a press conference that they will accept the decision but will not discount an appeal.They also said they have no idea yet which players will replace those suspended and who will take over the coaching duties during Reyes’ suspension.
With Blatche suspended fro three games, he said SBP will have to look for another naturalized player.
Basketball Australia was also fined $110,000 for removing floor decals a day before the game.
Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore said it was unlikely the organization would appeal the bans.
“As we stated at the outset, Basketball Australia sincerely regrets the incident,” Moore said.
“We acknowledge the sanctions handed down against Australian players and acknowledge the sanctions imposed against Philippines players and officials involved in the incident. We are seeking further clarification from FIBA about possible sanctions against other officials and fans involved in the incident.” /