Shocking fight on court leads to $135,000 fine for Boomers handed down by international federation

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Three members of the Australian men’s national basketball team face suspensions and the team has been hit with a $135,000 fine over an extraordinary mass brawl with the Philippines’ team earlier this month.

Daniel Kickert has been banned for five internationals and his Boomers teammates Thon Maker and Chris Goulding have received shorter suspensions.



Milwaukee Bucks star Maker copped a three-match ban and Goulding was suspended for one match over the brawl with the Philippines in the World Cup qualifier in Manila on July 2.

Play Video 1:10 Mass brawl mars Australia v Philippines basketball game – video

Kickert got the longest Australian sanction for unsportsmanlike behaviour after his elbow to the head of Philippines player Roger Pogoy, which started the brawl.

Ten Philippines players were suspended, including Poboy (five games) and Calvin Abueva (six games).

Philippines head coach Chot Reyes and assistant coach Joseph Uichico were fined and banned for one and three games respectively.

Basketball Australia was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($A135,000) for removing floor decals during team training on the day prior to the game and its role in the third-quarter incident.

Australia issues joint apology with Philippines for basketball brawl Read more

Basketball Australia has 14 days to decide whether to appeal the sanctions, although its chief executive, Anthony Moore, said that was unlikely to happen.

“As we stated at the outset, Basketball Australia sincerely regrets the incident that occurred in Manila and the involvement of our players in it,” Moore said in a statement.

“The Fiba disciplinary panel’s findings were comprehensive and addressed the key points of our submission.

Play Video 1:42 Basketball Australia boss slams violent match – video

“We acknowledge the sanctions handed down against Australian players and acknowledge the sanctions imposed against Philippines players and officials involved in the incident.

“We are seeking further clarification from Fiba about possible sanctions against other officials and fans involved in the incident.

“We also welcome Fiba’s finding in its report that no discriminatory or racist language was used by Australian Boomers players, nor did it incite the incident as has been alleged.”