Basketball: World body FIBA bans 13 over brawl during Philippines-Australia World Cup qualifier

Canberra, July 19: Thirteen players have been suspended by FIBA following a mass brawl in a World Cup qualifier between Philippines and Australia this month.

Ugly scenes on July 2 saw Philippines reduced to just one player, with punches thrown and a chair launched in a melee that took place on and off court.

Nine Philippines players were ejected along with four from Australia, the hosts then left with a sole player in a 89-53 defeat after June Mar Fajardo and Gabe Norwood fouled out.

And basketball's international governing body has now taken action, with 10 Philippines players banned for a combined total of 35 games. Their head coach Vincent Reyes was also suspended for a game while assistant coach Joseph Uichico received a three-match ban.

Australia's Thon Maker, who plays for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, was handed a three-game suspension, with teammates Daniel Kickert (five games) and Chris Goulding (one games) also banned.

The bans only apply to FIBA qualifiers, the next of which Philippines have been ordered to play behind closed doors. The Basketball Federation of the Philippines has been fined 250,000 CHF while Basketball Australia received a 100,000 CHF fine.

FIBA has removed the game's officials from its Elite Programme and they will not be allowed to perform officiating duties at any FIBA competitions for up to a year.

Basketball Australia is unlikely to appeal, according to CEO Anthony Moore, who added that the organisation will conduct its own review based on FIBA's findings.

Source: OPTA