Bogut to provide statement for FIBA regarding World Cup actions
According to a Basketball Australia release (quoted below) on Tuesday afternoon, Boomers big man, Andrew Bogut will be asked to provide a statement with regards to an earlier incident during the FIBA 2019 World Cup, in China.
Basketball Australia advise that Andrew Bogut has received notification of disciplinary proceedings from FIBA concerning an incident that occurred at the World Cup on September 13th .
He has been advised that he has until 8:00pm (AEST) on the 25th of September to provide his statement.
In respect of the process surrounding these proceedings, BA will make no further comment.
The incident --or incidents-- referenced likely happened during the recent FIBA 2019 World Cup, where the Australian Boomers lost to Spain in double overtime, when Bogut was whistled for a late-game foul while contesting for rebounding position with Spain's Marc Gasol.
https://twitter.com/BaynesFanClub/status/1172474113753067521
The foul led to Gasol's free throws, and Bogut rubbing his thumb and forefinger together in front of the referees (video below).
“We all know where FIBA’s headquarters is," Bogut shouted while striding through the media mixed zone, after the game. "It’s a f-ing disgrace. Cheating ass motherf-ers… Google where headquarters of f-ing FIBA is... f-ing disgrace.”
https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1172474808799563776
“It’s not an easy task for them to withhold their emotions when they go through the mixed zone,” FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis told a press conference in Beijing, prior to commencement of the bronze medal match and the World Cup final.
“At the same time, we do have a very specific set of regulations and we do have a specific set of principles and values that we represent not only as FIBA but also the sport of basketball. So where these lines are crossed, then we have disciplinary procedures, and in this case there will be a disciplinary procedure.
“So I better not comment further on that because there is an expert disciplinary judge of FIBA that will have to read the documents, ask the player for his position and then take a decision.”
It's yet to be seen if FIBA's decision could impact Bogut's status for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Australia has already qualified for the tournament through its recent play in the World Cup.