BASKETBALL Australia announced on Tuesday that it will not appeal sanctions handed out by Fiba over the brawl that marred their World Cup qualifier against the Philippines on July 2.
In a statement posted on the association's website, BA chief executive officer Anthony Moore said they established after a legal review that "chances of success under the FIBA appeal process are very low."
"So we have decided to pursue these matters with FIBA independent of the appeal process,” Moore added.
Ten Gilas Pilipinas players and three from Australia were handed suspensions ranging from six to one game for their roles in melee that erupted late in their Fiba World Cup Asian qualifier at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Additionally, Australia was fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($134,887) for “unsportsmanlike conduct during the game” and for “ripping up on-court signage in the lead-up to the game."
For the Philippines, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) was fined 250,000 Swiss francs and ordered to play its next home qualifier behind closed doors.
Additionallu, Gilas assistant coach Joseph Uichico was suspended for three games for unsportsmanlike behavior and coach Chot Reyes was suspended for one game and fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,521).
At the time the sanctions were handed down last July 19, Basketball Australia said it was mulling an appeal of the Fiba decision while representatives of players were seeking sanctions for addtional coaches and players on the Gilas side.
Meanwhile, Chris Goulding, who was hit with a one-game suspension for his role in the melee, was still part of Australia's 24-man pool for the next round of the Fiba World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and Kazakhstan.
However, Goulding will only be available for the Boomers' home match against Kazakhstan owing to the suspension.
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