Boomers star Andrew Bogut centre of media storm in China after World Cup blow up

Boomers big man Andrew Bogut is the centre of an international incident after Chinese local media falsely accused the Boomers big man of making disparaging comments against their country.

Australia’s Andrew Bogut during the semi-final loss to Spain. Picture: AP

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Andrew Bogut is the centre of an international incident after Chinese local media falsely accused the Boomers big man of making disparaging comments against their country.

Journalist Chen Yueze who works for Tencent Sports — the exclusive official digital partner of the FIBA World Cup — filed a fake news report, which has been viewed by 156 million people, claiming that Bogut said “F@#$ China” as he left the court moments after the Spanish defeat.

When someone questioned the report on Weibo — China’s biggest social media platform — saying that they “can’t hear it”, Yueze doubled down.

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Defeat was hard to take for Andrew Bogut.

However, he maintained his stance against by Bogut replying: “There’s an obvious FxxK China, which isn’t to be accepted”.

Basketball Australia refused to comment about the Bogut accusations when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph.

Bogut has received support from one user on Twitter, Michael Brock, who said he couldn’t hear the Australian saying anything disrespectful towards China.

“I have listened with 8 Chinese colleagues for the best part of an hour and none of us can hear any such thing,” Brock tweeted.

Another f word aimed at FIBA and referees, this time coming from Andrew Bogut's mouth pic.twitter.com/3qPnEmPyvJ

— Jonas Miklovas (@jmiklovas) September 13, 2019

“I have offered to buy lunch today for any colleague who can pinpoint where he either disparages or mentions china in that spray. Lunch so far unclaimed.

“I’m no Bogut fan, due to his stance on certain topics, but I’ll be Donald Duck if some little squirt with free basketball tickets can just make stuff up.

“He (Bogut) never mentions china once.”

Bogut is expected to be hit with a fine after accusing FIBA of cheating in a foul-mouthed tirade moments after Australia’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to Spain but he should be free to play France in Sunday’s bronze medal game.

Andrew Bogut looks to get past Spain’s Marc Gasol on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

He found himself in hot water when audio captured him blowing up in the media mixed zone moments after the devastating defeat.

“Google where headquarters of fucking FIBA is – f---ing disgrace — cheating ass motherf---ers,” he fumed after he was hit with a controversial foul call late in regular time.

The veteran big man was also photographed suggesting with his hands that money was a motivation in the result.

The foul against Bogut was a contentious call but his outburst was a bad look, especially questioning the integrity of FIBA.

Luckily, the big man isn’t expected to miss any matches and he can help the Boomers beat France in a bid to claim a medal men’s medal.

However, some Chinese reporters approached the Sunday Telegraph asking for comment because they thought Bogut’s post-game rant towards FIBA was aimed at China.

The Boomers veteran previously stated that one of the hotels was a “shambles”, however his foul-mouthed tirade in the media mixed zone moments after the Spanish loss was solely directed at his displeasure with the FIBA officials after a number of contentious calls cost the Australians.

Bogut’s running battle with salty Chinese fans continued during the Boomers’ semi-final against Spain.

Andrew Bogut has had a running battle with Chinese fans throughout the World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

The Beijing crowd booed the Sydney Kings big man every time he touched the ball.

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis refused to comment on the crucial foul call against Bogut in the closing minutes of regulation time.

“I was at the other end of the court where it happened, so I’ll have to watch the video,” Lemanis said. “I can then make a determination after that.”

Bogut is expected to receive a hostile reception when the Boomers play France in the bronze medal game on Sunday from 6pm (AEST).

Originally published as Boomers star Andrew Bogut centre of media storm in China after World Cup blow up