The Malian Federation of Basketball has expelled seven senior players from its national team for failure to feature in the first and second games of the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
The federation noted that the behaviour of the seven players runs contrary to the belief and dignity of the country, adding that their absence from the qualifying games against Uganda and Nigeria brought shame and disgrace to the nation. The Trumpet Gathered
In a statement by the basketball federation after reviewing and analysing the video posted on social media to ascertain its claim, decided in a meeting in accordance with articles 49, 50 and 82 of General Regulation to sanction the erring players whose names are Ibrahim Djambo, Mahamadou Kante, Ibrahima Saounera, Sadio Doucoure, Drissa Ballo, Oumar Ballo, and Ibrahim Sidibe.
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The federation also stated that following their removal from the senior men’s national basketball team, all the accrued compensation incurred by the national team will be deducted from their match bonuses.
According to other sources in Mali, the players refused to play the first two matches despite an appeal by the relevant authorities following the failure on the part of the federation to pay their bonuses before they departed for Rwanda.
Following their refusal to play the games, Uganda and Nigeria got walkover wins which resulted in Mali’s inability to qualify for the final round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Kigali.
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