BRISBANE, Australia: Basketball Australia says world governing body FIBA will enter “new territory” when it investigates a bench-clearing brawl during Australia’s World Cup qualifying match against the Philippines Monday.
It would not rule out criminal charges being laid.
Thirteen players, including four Australians, were ejected for their part in the brawl which took place in the third quarter of the match at the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria. The match was won 79-48 by Australia.
Fighting erupted with four minutes left in the quarter when Australia’s Chris Goulding was knocked to the ground by an opponent, with Goulding’s teammate Daniel Kickert reacting by flooring a Philippines player with an elbow.
Philippines players and officials poured onto the court and a wild melee began. Australia’s Sudan-born NBA star Thon Maker was seen to aim several flying kicks at Philippines players and Goulding was trapped on the floor under a pile of players as punches were thrown and chairs were tossed into the arena by fans.
The Australian players were later helped to leave the arena, board a bus and return to their hotel by representatives of the Australian embassy.
Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore said players were bruised and shaken but not seriously hurt. He said his organization would fully co-operate with any FIBA investigation or tribunal but he would not speculate on what sanctions might be imposed.
“I can’t speculate on what the sanctions will be because we’re actually in new territory in this regard,” Moore said. “We want to work with FIBA on the tribunal and get that outcome and we’ll assess our outcomes from there.
“We have briefed our lawyers on that, as you would expect us to do.”
Moore said Kickert’s retaliation after the foul on Goulding was an “unsavory act.”
“Whilst we accept our responsibility for our role in last night’s incident, what we don’t accept is the action whereby fans and officials actually get involved in the fray,” Moore said. “We find that absolutely unacceptable.”
Moore said players feared for their safety in the “tinderbox” atmosphere inside the stadium.
“You will have seen in the vision our athletes and coaches actually stayed on the court for a considerable amount of time because that was deemed to be the safest place for our players and coaches,” he said. “That’s a fairly compelling set of circumstances; are we actually going to get out of here unscathed?
“Physically our players are fine. They’re bruised and battered... (but) all the players are shaken up and Chris in particular.”
Milwaukee Bucks center Maker has defended his role in the incident, saying in a statement on Twitter that he was attempting to defend his teammates.
“I am deeply disappointed in the actions displayed during yesterday’s game against the Philippines,” Maker said. “Being from a war-torn country, basketball for me has always been a means to bring people together.
“I feel a great responsibility as an NBA player to carry myself in a way that promotes peace and unity.
“My hope is that this experience provides a springboard for discussion regarding the security surrounding these games.”
Australia, Philippine basketball players brawl in World Cup qualifier
Australia, Philippine basketball players brawl in World Cup qualifier
- Thirteen players, including four Australians, were ejected for their part in the brawl which took place in the third quarter of the match
- The match was won 79-48 by Australia
Learning every day: Kuwait players reflect on DP World ILT20 season 4
- ‘To play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow is a very big moment for me,’ says Mohammed Shafeeq of MI Emirates
DUBAI: Season four of the DP World ILT20 marked a significant step in the league’s regional development efforts, with players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia earning selection at the first ever auction and featuring across all six franchises.
Each team acquired at least one player from the two countries, offering emerging cricketers the opportunity to train and compete alongside some of the world’s leading players.
The DP World ILT20 season four ended on Jan. 4, with the Desert Vipers overcoming the MI Emirates to secure their first title.
Speaking over the course of the tournament, the Kuwait players reflected on their experiences and the opportunity to work alongside established international cricketers.
Captain of the Kuwait cricket team, Mohamed Aslam, said: “It’s a great opportunity for me to represent Sharjah Warriorz in the DP World ILT20, and we are getting a lot of experience in the dressing room.
He said he was sharing the dressing room with “leaders like Tim Southee and Sikandar Raza. I have gotten a lot of information from them and learned many things by asking questions.
“As an associate cricket player, this is a very good opportunity. I hope to apply all of this in Kuwait and do our best.”
Mohammed Shafeeq became the first player from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia to feature in a DP World ILT20 fixture when he played for the MI Emirates against the Dubai Capitals.
“The support from the coaching staff has been amazing because this is a completely different feeling for us. It will help us in the future, as the coaches are always watching us and giving technical inputs.”
“It is a very big moment for me to be part of this team and to play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow,” he added.
“All of them are top players and operate at different levels. They consider us for every match, and that means a lot to me.”
The Dubai Capitals’ Anudeep Chenthamara said: “I would like to thank the Kuwait Cricket Board and DP World ILT20 for giving me this opportunity, it is a big one for me and the whole team.
“There has been a lot of experience and learning over here. We have worked with experienced players and coaches; I have been able to work on many things from the basics to the higher level. For example, I have changed the base of my run-up.”
Echoing these sentiments, the Gulf Giants’ Meet Bhavsar, who has played 73 T20Is for Kuwait, said: “It’s been a great experience to share the dressing room with the superstars of modern-day cricket.
“Facing somebody like Tabraiz Shamsi in the nets has been really challenging and helped me immensely. I will try to share as much as I can with the rest of the Kuwait team, and I am grateful for the chance to be here.”
Representing the Desert Vipers, Bilal Tahir said: “We are learning a lot every day. We have very good coaches, a great environment, and the style of teaching really helps us improve.
“Playing with these stars is a dream for us because they are legends, and we learn so much from them. Just the other day in the nets, Fakhar Zaman told me how to improve certain things. I am very thankful to the Desert Vipers for giving us this opportunity.”
Adnan Idrees, whose services were secured by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, added: “It’s a great experience and I’m really enjoying my time here.
“Learning from legends is always a blessing, and sharing the dressing room with players like Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone makes me feel my game will improve a lot.
“I keep getting tips from them about staying focused on my game, and I’ve learned a lot already. They are gems as people and as cricketers, and it’s a joy to share the dressing room with them.
“I feel blessed to be part of the DP World ILT20 and hope more players get the chance to come here.”
