FIBA finds Australia didn't tank at basketball world cup
A FIBA investigation found that Australia did not violate the international basketball governing body's rules during a game against Angola at this year's FIBA Basketball World Cup.
After Australia's 91-83 loss, Goran Dragic -- a point guard on the Phoenix Suns and a member of Slovenia's national team, which shared a group with Angola and Australia -- tweeted the following: "Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!"
FIBA announced in September that it was opening an investigation into whether Australia intentionally lost the game. The Australia national basketball program issued a vehement denial, saying in a statement that "The Australian Boomers went into the game against Angola to win – plain and simple."
FIBA announced in a statement on Wednesday that Australia has been cleared of alleged wrongdoing:
FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann 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."
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The Australians' shoddy play on both ends of the floor during certain stretches raised some eyebrows. The loss allowed Australia to delay a potential matchup with Team USA and set up Slovenia to face the Americans in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Australia was eliminated by Turkey in the round of 16, and Team USA won the tournament.
