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 Basketball's world governing body FIBA opened disciplinary
proceedings against Australia on Monday over suspicions they had
lost a game against Angola in order to delay an encounter with
powerhouse the United States.
"Basketball Australia categorically rejects any suggestion that the
Australian Boomers were a party to contriving the result of the 2014
FIBA World Cup game between Australia and Angola," read a statement
released on Tuesday.
"The Australian Boomers went into the game against Angola to win –
plain and simple.
"Claims to the contrary are widely speculative, insulting to the
Australian sporting culture and to our playing group who gave their
very best throughout this tournament.
"They're downright wrong."
Few crimes are perceived as being more heinous in Australian sport
than giving less than 100 percent at all times, or 'tanking' as it
is known in local vernacular.
Tennis player Bernard Tomic's relationship with his country was
severely, and perhaps permanently, damaged two years ago after he
was accused of giving up during a match against Andy Roddick at the
U.S. Open.
At the World Cup in Spain last Thursday, the Boomers were beaten
91-83 by Angola in the group stage, the result ensuring Australia
finished third instead of second in their preliminary pool.
"The on-court behaviour displayed by Australia in that game
generated huge disappointment by basketball fans and experts," FIBA
said in a statement.
"It is widely suspected that Australia lost the game in order to
avoid having to face reigning world champions USA until the
semi-finals."
Basketball Australia said they were cooperating with the FIBA probe
and had put forward a 'strong and detailed' case explaining why they
had rested some players because of injury and restricted the game
time of others because of fatigue.
"That decision was supported by clear and definitive medical
advice," the statement added.
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"The health and wellbeing of our players is paramount. The World Cup group
stage schedule of five games in six days is, put simply, gruelling.
"It takes a significant toll on athletes – and is precisely the reason
why FIBA allows a roster of 12 active players."
The Boomers were eliminated in a 65-64 defeat by Turkey in the first
knockout round on Sunday and Basketball Australia said they were looking
forward to the FIBA investigation being concluded as quickly as
possible.
"Let us be extremely clear on this point: we, as Australians, always
compete the right way," the statement ended.
"The Australian Boomers are renowned for their tenacity, competitiveness
and hunger to win. Basketball Australia supports a clean game, playing
to win, and above all, integrity in the sport.
"As a world leader in integrity education, we welcome FIBA's scrutiny –
and we look forward to a resolution which closes the book on these
fundamentally inaccurate allegations."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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