Two Mali teammates who fought following a loss at the women’s basketball World Cup in Sydney have blamed post-match frustrations for their actions and apologised.
Fiba has opened an investigation after the players have been filmed bodily fighting each other following their World Cup loss to Serbia in Sydney.
The scuffle between Salimatou Kourouma and Kamite Elisabeth Dabou broke out throughout a post-match interview with Serbia’s Sasa Cado within the blended zone and was captured by a Serbian information digital camera.
Kourouma is contracted with Stade Malien, an expert group primarily based in Mali‘s capital city Bamako, while Dabou plays for Centre Dorinthie Basket.
After the 88-65 loss to Canada (4-1) at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Kourouma and Dabou fronted the media to express contrition.
“We were frustrated because of the loss so we are here to apologise to the world of basketball, Fiba, the World Cup,” Kourouma said on the pair’s behalf. “We’re here to apologise for the image that was put on social media. It was not our intention.”
As the world governing physique deliberates on whether or not to impose sanctions, Mali coach Joaquin Brizuela Carrion mentioned he didn’t take into account dropping the pair.
“These were two of our key players so even though it was a sad incident, it was more about that they wanted to play basketball,” Brizuela mentioned. “We wanted to play at a higher level, and they did show that today.”
As one among solely two sides to have misplaced all 5 video games within the group stage, Mali didn’t progress to the quarter-finals so any sanctions won’t have an effect on their World Cup marketing campaign.
“FIBA acknowledged today that there was an altercation between Mali players in the mixed zone following the Group B game Serbia-Mali at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022,” FIBA mentioned in a press release.
“Following the incident, FIBA has opened an investigation. Once the investigation is concluded, FIBA will decide on any applicable disciplinary measures.”
Mali certified for their second World Cup as a late alternative for Nigeria, who pulled out citing administrative difficulties across the sport of their nation.
The lowest-ranked facet at the event at No 37 on this planet, Mali have been considerably aggressive in patches however a 118-58 loss to Australia was a low level. They are nonetheless to play Group B co-leaders Canada, who have been undefeated till Monday evening’s thrilling three-point defeat to the Opals.
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