Liz Cambage controversy takes big twist as new footage comes to light
The former Opals star has defended her actions after footage of the infamous pre-Olympics scrimmage was leaked.
Footage of the much-discussed confrontation between Liz Cambage and members of the Nigerian national basketball team has emerged in the wake of the former Opal declaring she was pursuing a switch away from representing Australia the previous day. Nearly nine minutes of footage from the pre-Olympics scrimmage in 2021, which resulted in Cambage walking away from the national team, was leaked on Wednesday.
Cambage was alleged to have directed a racial slur towards Nigerian players during the heated practice game. Allegations came from both Nigerian and Australian players, which the 31-year-old has consistently denied.
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Audio from the footage is difficult to make out, however what is clear is the increasingly heated tone of the game, which ends with Cambage hitting Nigeria's Victoria Macaulay with an elbow to the head, and Macaulay's subsequent retaliation. Players were quickly separated, with the Opals captain Jenna O'Hea seen pleading with Cambage to 'please stop' as the scrimmage was called off.
Since then, Basketball Australia has conducted an investigation into the incident, while Opals coach Sandy Brondello declaring Cambage would not play again for the national side in the aftermath of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Cambage did not take part in the Women's World Cup in 2022, where the Opals claimed a bronze medal.
Cambage also departed from her WNBA team, the LA Sparks, under acrimonious circumstances following an awkward press conference alongside teammates Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike - both of whom have Nigerian heritage but have not represented the national team before. Following the leak of the 2021 scrimmage footage, Cambage took to social media with a statement decrying 'unverified claims' - despite both Australian and Nigerian players having alleged she made the comments.
“In light of the circulating footage from the 2021 scrimmage between the Opals and D’Tigress, I want to provide clarity on my recollection of the events," Cambage wrote. "Before the scrimmage, I had expressed concerns to Opals staff about the unacceptable playing conditions within the COVID ‘bubble’ they were imposing.
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) August 9, 2023
Here’s the full video of Liz Cambage v Nigeria. She starts some pushing and shoving at the start but it really blows up at the 5-minute mark. Has plenty to say, gets punched, and look at how her teammates want nothing to do with it. They’re SO done. pic.twitter.com/9Nn0XIZItl
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) August 8, 2023
“The circulating video portrays a highly physical game with no officiating, resulting in me being attacked and sustaining a concussion. Contrary to false claims, I did not use racial slurs or refer to anyone as a monkey, which is evident from the footage.
“To set the record straight, I never stated that I had officially joined the Nigerian national team. Instead, I expressed my interest in joining the team and representing Nigeria.
"I had discussions with staff members about the necessary steps to become eligible, and thought I was doing them. I extend my best wishes to all players on D’Tigress.”
Doubts cast over Liz Cambage's prospects to play for Nigeria
Cambage's statement comes after Nigerian player Promise Amukamara declared it was 'false' that Cambage had made approaches to join the team, as well as reiterating the allegations of racial remarks.
"I’m sorry but this is false," Amukamara wrote. "She called us Monkeys & told us to go back to our country. Yes she said that!.
"Literally everyone from both teams have the same story BUT her, so y’all do the math! The only person she has been in “cahoots” w/ was the former coach of our National team & he’s no longer the coach, so there’s that!"
In a surprising interview with US sports journalist Taylor Rooks, Cambage said she had been 'in cahoots' with Nigerian basketball officials who were keen for her to play for them, and has begun the administrative process to do so. Cambage has Nigerian heritage, making her eligible for such a switch.
“A lot of girls don’t like me," Cambage said. "I don’t really lean towards racially backed insults. That’s not how I go. I’m very pro-Black. I did not say these things to these girls.
"Because the truth looks a lot worse for other organisations involved, than using me as a scapegoat. Why does Nigeria want me to leave Australia and go and represent them?”
“We’re filing for me to leave the Australian team, so I can represent Nigeria. I’ve been in cahoots, I’ve been talking to them since all of this happened. This is what I mean, people don’t know the truth.”
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