International basketball federation FIBA has launched an investigation into a fight between Mali’s female players after the African team was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup in Sydney.
The incident took place after Monday’s 68-81 loss to Serbia. In the area for interviews with journalists, Salimata Kourouma and Kamite Dabou got into a fight, and other teammates had to calm them down.
The Serbian Saša Čadjová, who was giving an interview while laughing, fell silent and stared terrified at what was happening next to her.
“We know that there was a conflict between Mali players. We have opened an investigation and when it is finished, we will decide on possible disciplinary measures,” FIBA’s statement was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Mali entered the championship as a substitute after African champions Nigeria withdrew. At the tournament, they lost all five games in the group, and even before today’s final game against Canada (65:88), they had no chance of advancing.
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