The most disgusting moment from the Boomers brawl

This is the brutal and ‘criminal’ double blow that left onlookers seething during the Boomers brawl, and has left former players calling for an investigation.

Aussie guard Nathan Sobey was assaulted twice in the space of 10 seconds after running in to protect his teammate, Chris Goulding, who was on the bottom of a pack behind the baseline.

Vision shows the Adelaide 36ers guard running around the outside of the base line barriers to avoid the crowd of players in his effort to get to Goulding.

The 27-year-old Aussie can be seen walking towards the melee before an official picks up a chair and throws it at the back of his head.

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Luckily, Sobey avoided the blow somewhat by ducking his head, however the worst was yet to come.

As TV cameras turned away, he was coward-punched by an official while being held back by security guards – a moment we only know about thanks to an on-court photographer.

Fox Sports commentators described seeing Sobey getting “assaulted” by a crowd of Filipino players and officials behind the baseline of the court.

“There must have been 15 or 20 Phillipino players around Nathan Sobey and Chris Goulding,” Shane Heal said in commentary.

Moments later, he emerged from the melee clutching his beaten face, supported by teammate Jason Cadee.

Former Boomer Chris Anstey called for a harsh response.

Basketball’s international governing body has now opened disciplinary hearings against Australia and the Philippines after their World Cup 2019 Asian qualifier descended into chaos with 13 players ejected for brawling during the match.

The Boomers defeated the Philippines 89-53 to finish top of their qualifying group in Bulacan on Monday night, but the match result was overshadowed by the ugly brawl.

“FIBA will now open disciplinary proceedings against both teams. The decisions will be communicated in the coming days,” FIBA tweeted on Monday.

Australia had held a comfortable 79-48 lead when a pair of rough fouls, one from Philippines player Roger Pogoy on Chris Goulding, followed by a retaliation from teammate Daniel Kickert, saw the game erupt into madness.

Players from both teams engaged in an all-in brawl while officials charged onto the court to try and restore order.

The situation intensified as unruly fans invaded the court to hurl objects at the players, sparking major safety concerns.

Play was suspended for over 30 minutes while match officials attempted to review the incident.

A total of 13 players were ejected – nine from the Philippines along with Australia’s Goulding, Kickert, Thon Maker and Nathan Sobey.

The Philippines were left with only three eligible players but the match continued until two of their players deliberately fouled out to end the contest.

Scheduled post-match press conferences for both teams were cancelled in the aftermath of the incident.

Basketball Australia’s Chief Executive Anthony Moore issued a statement following the match to apologise for the Boomers’ involvement in the violent incident.

“Basketball Australia deeply regrets the incident in tonight’s match between the Boomers and the Philippines in Manila,” Moore said.

“We are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it.

“This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball.

“We apologise to our fans and will await the penalties to be handed down.”

Basketball CEO slams involvement of ‘fans and officials’ in brawl

Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore admits the sport’s global governing body is in “new territory” as it assesses the wild brawl that erupted in their men’s basketball World Cup qualifier in the Philippines.

The Boomers are bruised, battered and shaken but have somehow escaped serious injury from chaotic scenes that saw a prone Chris Goulding attacked by about a dozen Filipino players and officials and Nathan Sobey hit with a chair thrown by a fan.

Moore admitted Kickert’s action was an “unsavoury act” and “challenging” to defend but said his main concern was what happened afterwards.

“Whilst we accept our responsibility for our role in last night’s incident, what we don’t accept is the action whereby fans and officials actually get involved in the fray,” Moore told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

“We find that absolutely unacceptable.”

Moore did not rule out the prospect of potential criminal action being taken against those involved but said Basketball Australia would first allow a FIBA investigation and tribunal process unfold.

With players departing the Philippines to various locations around the world, time frames are unclear.

“I can’t speculate on what the sanctions will be because we’re actually in new territory in this regard,” Moore said.

“We want to work with FIBA on the tribunal and get that outcome and we’ll assess our outcomes from there.

“We have briefed our lawyers on that, as you would expect us to do.”

The Owner and Executive Chairman of the NBL, Larry Kestelman, echoed the sentiments of Moore in an official statement, saying the behaviour of fans and officials couldn’t be accepted.

“The NBL stands united with Basketball Australia in condemning the behaviour of players, officials and fans during the Boomers game against the Philippines in Manila last night.

“Our players need to accept responsibility for what happened on the court and any sanctions that follow. However we do not accept what happened on the sidelines when Australian players were attacked by fans and officials including a chair being thrown at one of the Boomers’ players Nathan Sobey and another player Chris Goulding set upon on the floor.

“This disgraceful behaviour needs to be dealt with by FIBA in the strongest possible manner and we will await the outcome of their investigation. We commend the restraint shown by our players and officials in the circumstances and we are working with Basketball Australia to facilitate the players’ return home in the quickest and safest way possible and protect their welfare.

“We are proud of the NBL’s well earned reputation as a family sport and we are thankful that this sort of behaviour is not a feature of Australian basketball. We have record participation levels, crowds and interest in basketball and we are committed to continuing to deliver a first class product all Australians can enjoy and be proud of.”

With AAP