FIBA Sanctions Three Teams for Missing 2021 ACQ Second Window

The second window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers was played in multiple bubbles due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic and it saw multiple national teams deciding not to play.

In effect. the national federations of Korea, China, and Chinese-Taipei are set to be sanctioned by FIBA based on a decision made by FIBA's own disciplinary panel. 

The Koreans, who are grouped with Gilas Pilipinas in Group A, were supposed to play in the Manama bubble last November with a game against the Filipinos and another one against Indonesia originally scheduled. Meanwhile, China and Chinese-Taipei are both in Group B and both failed to field their teams that forced the cancelations of the Group B games for the second window.

The sanctions that are set to be handed down are heavy.

Firstly, Korea, China, and Chinese-Taipei have been slapped with a 160,000 Swiss francs fine with half of that amount to be deferred to each national federation complying with its obligation to the official FIBA competition.

The next sanction could hit the teams' chances of qualifying for a spot in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup as the world governing body will be handing down a one-point deduction to the said teams that will be given in the third window.

This means that Korea who owns a 2-0 slate and has four points, will see that points deducted to two points and that, one additional point will be awarded to Gilas Pilipinas, Indonesia, and Thailand. 

Korea is set to play against Gilas Pilipinas inside the Clark bubble for the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers with Gilas needing only one more win to secure their slot in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. 

Photo is from FIBA