FIBA to Investigate Australia for Alleged Game-Fixing

By Bradley Gains on September 8, 2014

FIBA have announced that they will open disciplinary proceedings against Australia in regards to their controversial final Group D result at the FIBA World Cup last week.

Australia received widespread criticism following their 91-83 loss to Angola, most notably from Slovenia guard Goran Dragic who accused the Boomers of fixing the game.

Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!

— Goran Dragic (@Goran_Dragic) September 4, 2014

Leading 42-29 at half-time despite resting key stars Aron Baynes and Joe Ingles, the game suddenly turned in the second half and Australia conceded 62 points to fall to defeat. It wasn’t so much the number of points they conceded, it was the manner in which they conceded them with their defence practically non-existent at times as they allowed their opponents the freedom of the court.

By losing the game, the Aussies would finish 3rd in Group D and avoid a possible show-down with the USA until the semi-final stage. However, FIBA have been spared a difficult decision to have to make should Australia have gone on to medal as they were knocked out by Turkey in the dying seconds on Sunday.

Check out FIBA’s highlights of the game in question.

On the flip side, Australia may argue that they are simply trying to maximise their chances of a medal and it’s not been done to gain money but it goes against the nature of the game which is to be competitive and try to win.

The FIBA statement concluded: ‘Basketball Australia has an opportunity to state its case before FIBA decides whether and to what extent disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed.’

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