Controversy erupted in the Olympics when referees ejected Laker forward Rui Hachimura of Japan for his second unsportsmanlike foul.
It happened with about 8 minutes left in a fourth quarter in a game that went into overtime with France avoiding an upset.
A report in Los Angeles Lakers on Sports Illustrated described the contact as “incidental” saying Minnesota Timberwolf Rudy Gobert “sold the foul with a dramatic tumble.”
In FIBA competition, transition take fouls, clear path fouls, and flagrant fouls are all considered unsportsmanlike. You can watch both of Hachimura’s unsportsmanlike fouls here.
Many took to social media to accuse the refs of home country bias.
Sportscaster Bill Simmons wrote on X “Ha ha France is getting the craziest home-cooking basketball officiating in recent memory.”
Laker fans also cried foul alleging an anti-Laker bias.
France went on to win 94-90. Hachimura left the game with 24 points in just 22 minutes of play.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and can be made here.
Last day to get tickets for our fundraiser Up Close with Connie Chung, America’s first Asian American to anchor a nightly network newscast. The in-depth conversation with Connie will be held tonight, November 14 at 7:30 at Columbia University’s Milbank Chapel in the Teacher’s College. All proceeds benefit AsAmNews.
