GOULDING MANAGER WANTS LIFE BANS
BASKETBALL: Boomers legend and assistant coach Luc Longley has been praised for rushing to the aid of guard Chris Goulding as he was held down and bashed by Philippine players and staff.
Nine Philippine players and four Boomers were ejected from Monday night’s FIBA World Cup qualifier after a nasty brawl was sparked when Goulding was sent to the floor by an elbow.
All hell broke loose when the Sydney Kings’ Daniel Kickert appeared to strike the player who had hit Goulding.
In disgraceful scenes, Goulding was set upon by several Philippine players as the fight dragged on for more than a minute.
Thankfully, Longley noticed the Melbourne United star at the bottom of the pile and raced to help him.
Goulding’s agent, Daniel Moldovan, applauded Longley for his courage on social media yesterday.
“Horrific vision ..... Luc Longley might have just saved Chris Goulding’s life,” Moldovan said. “The assistant coach grabs a chair and pummels it down on his head while multiple cowards stomp on him. This is very hard to watch.”
Moldovan called for the Philippine players and staff involved in the brawl to face life bans for their actions.
“Let’s call this for what it is – this is assault,” he said.
“Spats and occasionally fights happen in a game, but for a bench to clear and players, support staff, arena employees to start kicking, stomping, throwing chairs – it is assault.”
Moldovan said Goulding was at one point pinned down as a dozen people attacked him.
“Twelve guys stomping him, punching him, kicking him, the American on the team was holding his leg down so he couldn’t get up,” he told SEN Radio.
NBA star Thon Maker took full responsibility yesterday for his actions in the brawl but said he was only trying to protect his teammates.
The Milwaukee Bucks centre, 21, who was playing only his second match for the Boomers, was ejected after delivering a series of fly-kicks.
“My hope is that this experience provides a springboard for discussion regarding the security surrounding these games,” Maker said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“I take responsibility for my actions knowing that they were a result of MY DESIRE to protect my teammates and myself.”