The game must go on.
Apparently and according to the International Basketball Federation.
Canada Basketball, the national governing body has been sanctioned by the FIBA Disciplinary Panel for its no show and failure to field a team to participate in the second window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers in November 2020.
FIBA issued Canada Basketball a disciplinary fine of CHF 160, 000 Swiss Francs, equivalent to roughly $227, 382 Canadian dollars. Additionally, the global basketball federation hit Canada with a one (1) point deduction in the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers standings.
Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic Canadian Basketball opted not to field a team despite FIBA creating a controlled and secured bubble format environment during the November 27 to December 1, 2020, qualification window.
The Canadian federation was singled out as being the only country in the Americas and European zones to not send a team to the various FIBA regional qualifications tournaments — instead opting to follow federal and medical orders to protect its players and staff during the global pandemic.
Canada was scheduled to be in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to play Cuba on November 29 and the US Virgin Islands the next day.
FIBA also announced fines against the National Federations of China (CBA), Chinese Taipei (CTBA) and Korea (KBA) for missing out in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers in November 2020.
Canada Basketball extremely disappointed by FIBA
In a released statement, Canada Basketball defended its decision and expressed extreme disappointment with FIBA despite being involved in what it called “open and transparent conversations” with the Geneva based organization.
“These sanctions were made public prior to notifying our organization of this decision.” The federation also announced that they will be filling a formal appeal to the FIBA Appels’ Panel.
Canada Basketball will have the ability to defer half (CHF 80, 000/$113, 691) of the fine and the one point deduction by fully participating and fulfilling its obligation in the third window of the AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers running from Wednesday, February 17th through Monday, February 22, 2021.
Canada Basketball Four Games in Five Nights
Team Canada is scheduled to play four games in five days during the upcoming third qualification window including the two postponed games against the US Virgin Islands and Cuba on February 17 and 18 respectively. They will face the same two teams on February 20th and 21st to concluded qualification period.
FIBA AmeriCup tournament serves as a qualifier for the upcoming 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup set to be hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Canada currently has three points from two games in Group C of AmeriCup qualification.
The Canadians split a pair of games against group leaders the Dominican Republic who sit at the top of the Group C standings with seven points from four games, while Cuba and the US Virgin Islands have four points from three games.
The top three teams in each of the four groups will advance to the 19th edition of the FIBA AmeriCup, scheduled to take place from the 2 to the 11 of September 2022
Canada is currently 21st in the latest FIBA World Rankings.
