After two Mali basketball players were captured on camera fighting following their team’s elimination from the Women’s World Cup, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) opened an investigation on Tuesday.
The incident happened following Mali’s fourth straight loss at the competition, an 81-68 loss to Serbia in their Group B match on Monday in Sydney.
Kamite Elisabeth Dabou and Salimatou Kourouma got into a brawl when Serbia’s Sasa Cado was being interviewed in the mixed zone.
Prior to the arrival of other Mali players to separate the two in front of an obviously stunned Cado, Kourouma was seen punching Dabou.
“FIBA acknowledged today that there was an altercation between Mali players in the mixed zone following the Group B game Serbia-Mali at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022,” FIBA said in a statement.
“Following the incident, FIBA has opened an investigation. Once the investigation is concluded, FIBA will decide on any applicable disciplinary measures.”
Mali, which has four points from four games and is playing Canada later on Tuesday, is last in Group B. It was granted entry after Nigeria, the reigning African champion, withdrew due to organisational issues with the sport in its nation.
On Tuesday, Puerto Rico overcame South Korea 92-73 to advance to the knockout round, joining Canada, France, Australia, and Serbia from Group B and the United States, China, and Belgium from Group A. Thursday’s quarterfinals are followed by Friday’s semifinals and Saturday’s championship.