By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In what ended to be an anti-climatic ending, FIBA announced that “concluded an investigation into Australia’s game against Angola at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and found that Basketball Australia (BA) has not violated its Internal Regulations”.
If you remember, Australians were accused directly by Goran Dragic that they “fixed” their defeat in order to avoid a future clash with USA. However, despite the initial firm response by FIBA and specifically by secretary general Patrick Baumann, the investigation couldn’t prove anything and Baumann this time said: “We are very happy to announce that our investigation has cleared Australia of violating the Internal Regulations. As one of our most active national member federations across men’s, women’s and youth basketball, we know we can count on Basketball Australia to wholeheartedly endorse the principles of fair play and ethical behaviour outlined in FIBA’s Code of Conduct and Fair Play”.
FIBA’s official press release concludes that “through this investigation, FIBA has sent a warning to all national member federations that it will not tolerate or condone any behaviour or conduct by federations, players, coaches or the like that would result in the manipulation of results of games that could tarnish the image of basketball. It will not hesitate in the future to take the strongest possible action in such circumstances which could include suspensions, substantial fines, reprimands or warnings”.
However, practically, the message send may be the exact opposite…