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SYDNEY (AFP) – Two players from the Mali team participating in the Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney apologized following their clash, while the International Federation of the Game (FIBA) opened an investigation into the incident.
The incident took place in the post-match mixed media area and was captured on camera while interviewing Serbian Sacha Kadu following her country’s 81-68 victory over Mali.
A short video clip, which has since been widely seen on the Internet, showed Selimato Koroma throwing at least three punches at her colleague Kamiti Elizabeth Dabo. Other financial players intervened to end the quarrel.
The two players appeared in a press conference on Tuesday following Mali lost its last match in the tournament once morest Canada 65-88, where they apologized.
“We are here to apologize for the photo that was on social media, it was not our intention,” said Dabo, who sat next to her colleague.
“We were frustrated by the loss and we are here to apologize to the World Cup family, and to express our apologies,” she added.
The International Federation said it was investigating the incident and, once completed, “would decide on any disciplinary measures”.
Coach Joaquin Brizuela described the brawl as an “unfortunate accident”, adding: “They are our two key players, and although it was an unfortunate accident, they both hoped to play basketball at a higher level, and they showed that today.”
“We learned a lot from playing this tournament,” he concluded.
Mali failed to win any of its five matches following qualifying for the World Cup for the second time as a late substitute for Nigeria, which withdrew due to administrative difficulties related to the sport in its country.
© 2022 AFP