FIBA opens disciplinary proceedings against Australia for suspicious loss vs. Angola

Goran Dragic asked FIBA to do something about what he believed was Australia throwing their final group stage game against Angola, and now he'll get his wish.

FIBA announced on Monday that the organization will open disciplinary proceedings against Australia "following the manner in which the team lost its last Group D game against Angola, 91-83, in Gran Canaria last Thursday."

FIBA's news release continues:

The on-court behaviour displayed by Australia in that game generated huge disappointment by basketball fans and experts. It is widely suspected that Australia lost that game in order to avoid having to face the reigning world champions USA until the Semi-Finals.

Basketball Australia has an opportunity to state its case before FIBA decides whether and to what extent disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed.

Australia entered their final group stage game 3-1 after outscoring opponents by nearly 10 points per game through its first four contests, while Angola entered 1-3 after only beating lowly South Korea.

The loss dropped Australia from second place to third in Group D, which conveniently saw them avoid the powerhouse Americans in the first two knockout rounds, while Dragic's Slovenia side climbed to second to set up a potential matchup with the U.S. in the quarterfinals.

If Australia really did take a dive, any punishment from FIBA will only add to the disappointment of losing to Turkey in the Round of 16 on Sunday, which rendered their potential antics against Angola meaningless.

Had Australia defeated Angola, they would have taken on the Dominican Republic in the Round of 16 before a potential matchup with the U.S., while Slovenia would have taken on Turkey and then Lithuania.

Instead, Slovenia will play the U.S. on Tuesday.