FIBA on Thursday suspended 13 players and two coaches from the Philippines and Australia national teams "for their involvement in the ugly World Cup qualifying melee in Manila earlier this month," according to Matt Logue of THE AUSTRALIAN. Three Boomers -- Daniel Kickert (five games), Thon Maker (three) and Chris Goulding (one) -- "copped suspensions" from World Cup qualifying matches for unsportsmanlike behavior. FIBA’s investigation "determined that no racist language was used by Australian players nor was it racist abuse that incited the violence." The decision to suspend and fine Goulding "is perplexing given he was set upon by a number of Philippine players" and staff and "bashed and kicked while he laid motionless on the ground." Jio Jalalon, the Philippines official/player who entered the court and punched Australia's Nathan Sobey, "only received a five-game FIBA suspension." Former Australia player Shane Heal labeled the "lenient treatment" of Jalalon as "ridiculous." Heal: "That should be a life ban or a suspension for years and years" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/20). In Sydney, Roy Ward reported Basketball Australia "could appeal some of the sanctions handed down by FIBA." The int'l organization fined BA 100,000 Swiss francs ($100,100). Kickert accepted his five-game ban, while Maker and Goulding "are unlikely to appeal" their bans. The Australian Basketballers' Association said on Thursday that it would "accept the suspensions but the players would be seeking clarification of some sanctions to Philippines coaches and officials" (SMH, 7/19).
