‘Hit in the face’: Liz Cambage finally breaks silence on racism saga

Aussie basketballer Liz Cambage has finally broken her silence on the damning video footage of last year’s practice match against Nigeria.

Australian basketballer Liz Cambage has broken her silence on the damning video footage of last year’s infamous practice match against Nigeria, with the 30-year-old denying she referred to her opponents as “monkeys”.

On Sunday, News Corp revealed that Cambage physically lashed out at Nigerian players during a scrimmage ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, elbowing a rival in the head.

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Australian players were rocked by the saga and the Opals struggled in Japan, crashing out in the quarter-finals.

In May last year, Cambage threatened to boycott the Olympics after taking issue with a promotional photo shoot she believed did not represent the diverse backgrounds of Australia’s athletes.

She eventually agreed to take part, but withdrew following the incident with the Nigerian team.

Earlier this month, former Opals captain Jenna O’Hea confirmed that Cambage told Nigerian players to “go back to your third world country”.

“You’ve just got the PG version, there was much more than that — I’m just glad someone’s come out and said it,” Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut told 2GB radio at the time.

“It was beyond despicable.

“There’s much more in there that you can’t say on radio … there’s some other words that you can never repeat, that I’d never even say, to be honest with you.”

Liz Cambage has responded to the allegations. Picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

On Monday afternoon AEST, Cambage responded to the accusations in a lengthy Instagram post, claiming she was physically assaulted by a Nigerian player before the altercation seen in the video footage.

“The incident that took place during the pre-Olympic scrimmage with the Nigerian team was handled privately, almost a year ago,” she wrote.

“I am very disappointed and hurt by the events and accusations that have unfolded in the Australian media.

“The recount of what took place is inaccurate and misleading.

“I did not use the racial slur towards the Nigerian team that has been circulating.

“After I unintentionally fouled a Nigerian player on court I was then physically assaulted by this player on the sideline of my bench. I was hit in the face and pushed to the ground but I walked away. Prior to the game l asked to sit out because I was concerned about my mental and physical health, which I have addressed publicly.

“We did not have professional referees to manage and prioritise both teams safety during this highly physical scrimmage.

“This is not an excuse or justification to the events that unfolded or my actions, however, I feel that a full picture of the environment that led to this outcome must be shared.

“I have taken responsibility and accountability for my involvement in what occurred. I genuinely apologised to the Nigerian team and I once again, am sorry that these events are being rehashed.

“I truly hope that I can move forward from this incident and apply actionable effort to be my best self.”

Cambage currently represents the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, with the franchise claiming an 85-83 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Monday.

Nigerian players who spoke to the Sunday Telegraph, on the condition their identities would not be revealed, have claimed they heard Cambage say “go back to your third world country” and called them “monkeys”.

“That’s what I recall, the term monkeys, yes. And go back to where you came from,” one Nigerian player said. “She definitely did use monkeys or monkey.”

Another player added: “I was on the court. She definitely said go back to your third world country. I didn’t hear it, but (teammates) confirmed she called us monkeys.”

Cambage apologised to the Nigerian team a day after the fiery clash, but it was not well received by all, with one player saying: “I don’t think it was a sincere apology.”