Basketball brawlers must face sanctions, says Andrew Gaze

THERE is nothing to defend the actions of anyone in that brawl and sanctions are needed to send the strongest possible message because this was an unwelcome blight on our game, writes ANDREW GAZE.

This isn’t what basketball is about. (AFP Photo)

IT was shocking.

There is no other way to describe it.

There is nothing to defend the actions of anyone in that brawl and sanctions are needed to send the strongest possible message because this was an unwelcome blight on our game.

But I hope it’s kept in context that this is not normal behaviour in basketball.

I don’t subscribe to the thought that people sitting at home watching that said: `I don’t want my kids to play basketball’.

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This isn’t what basketball is about. (AFP Photo)

I don’t think that’s the case because when you’ve got a long history to say what the game stands for and represents, that clearly outweighs this one ugly aberration.

It’s a warning internationally to say if this was a regular occurrence, you have a big problem.

There needs to be penalties or there is no deterrent in the future.

My guess is that given the nature of the brawl, the look of it and certainly the exposure it has received throughout the world, there could be some fairly significant sanctions.

Coming off the bench and getting involved in a fight is a very, very significant breach.

It has real implications on the reputation of the game.

The Australians are not without blame in this. (AFP PHOTO)

I doubt very much there will be suspensions for 12-months but I would be surprised if players are not suspended for a number of games, at a minimum.

Or they might just eliminate The Philippines from the next stage of qualification, which means they are out of their quest to play in the World Cup.

That is not to say that Australia didn’t play a hand in the controversy.

But the harshest penalties should apply to players and officials who left the bench to take part.