South Sudan’s Olympic Fairytale Ends As Last Match Officials Criticized
South Sudan coach Royal Ivey was critical of the officiating after his team’s Olympic basketball dreams were dashed when they failed to qualify for the men’s quarterfinals in a heartbreaking loss to Serbia.
Serbia defeated South Sudan 96-85 in the final Group C match on Saturday.
Left it all on the court tonight! #BrightStars ✨🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/22rScW3mxi
— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) August 3, 2024
The Africans finished third, but Greece advanced to the quarter-finals on points difference as one of the two best third-placed teams, along with Brazil.
“I need an answer. Explain it to me. I’m baffled,” said Ivey, citing the difference in free throws and fouls between the two teams.
Coach Royal Ivey has accused referees of unfairly officiating of the game between #SouthSudan and Serbia as the latter had 31 free throws compared to just six for S. Sudan resulting in the loss, eliminating the Bright Stars from the competition. #SSOX pic.twitter.com/cz2SStV03b
— Eye Radio (@EyeRadioJuba) August 4, 2024
“My guys are out there giving their all – blood, sweat, and tears. And you tell me how we shoot six free throws. We shot one free throw in the second half. One free throw in the second half?”
“I had dialogue (with the referees), but they wouldn’t talk to me. They gave me a technical (foul) they told me they were worried about my bench standing up.
“They were worried about me crossing the line instead of refereeing the game. What is me crossing the line having anything (to do) with it, with the game?
“My guy goes up for a shot, they go underneath him. They are grabbing jerseys. So call them both ways then.
“I’m not one to complain and bicker about calls and stuff. But It was blatant tonight. It was very blatant. And I had to keep my cool because (they) threatened to throw me out of the game,” the former NBA player added.
The South Sudan team known as the “Bright Stars” became Olympic contenders thanks to the efforts of former NBA All-Star and president of the country’s basketball federation Luol Deng.
Deng advocated for more African referees in official international tournaments to ensure fair game calls.
South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey was unhappy with a lot of referee calls during the game against Serbia and called the entire match a travesty 🗣️ #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/F1lsYW9eAR
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 3, 2024
“I don’t know why there are no African referees at the Olympics. This is 2024. I don’t know what the reason is … if we’re representing the continent, we have to be represented fully.
“If these referees don’t know our game or our style, then I don’t know what the World Cup or the Olympics are. Is it just a European style of basketball? We can’t be aggressive.”
Deng agreed with Ivey, describing the calls against his players as “deliberate and blatant” because they could not be as aggressive as the Serbians.
“We couldn’t be as aggressive as they are. I know that Serbia is known for basketball,” said Deng.
“They’ve been great for many years. The way of their style, the way they play, it’s almost like the ref knows them. As soon as our guys play their style, we’re getting fouled every time.”
“I’m not here to make excuses. We are going to keep on working and I guarantee you we will be back and we will be better … but it was not fair tonight,” he added.
South Sudan’s Olympic Fairytale Ends As Last Match Officials Criticized
