The Paris Olympics 2024 is sizing up to have one of the best menโs basketball games ever. With multiple current and former NBA players leading their national teams, the level of play has elevated where no one team can be safely predicted to win outright. Except maybe Team USA. That was the setting when Rui Hachimura and Japan faced Victor Wembanyama and France. Only for a controversial ejection leading to fans calling out the officiating.
Rui Hachimura was already issued a technical in the 3rd quarter when he bumped fellow NBA star Bilal Coulibaly. In the fourth when Rudy Gobert drove to put up a dunk or layup, Hachimura pulled his right arm. The officials deemed the play as being nowhere near the ball. FIBA rules see that as a technical foul. Since it was his second, he was disqualified. The decision brought a round of boos from the fans seated in the arena. As the referees could have allowed the game to continue in the spirit of competition at the Olympics.
As they knew that Japan led by the Los Angeles Lakers star had just started to rally back. It was evident as the game was now just 2 points away when he was ejected. The game eventually went into overtime and Victor Wembanyama and France eventually prevailed.
They just ejected Rui Hachimura in the Olympics against France over one of the softest unsportsmanlike calls youโll ever see.
Horrible. pic.twitter.com/T7kQl3voDw
โ Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 30, 2024
Suggesting that the game was not in their favor with Rui Hachimura leading Japanโs rally. Had the Los Angeles Lakers star stayed in the game, it is possible that the outcome could have been different. The momentum was with the Japanese at that stage.
Fans livid as officials stop Rui Hachimuraโs late game rally
Fans of the sport saw what was unfolding at the Paris Olympics 2024. Had Hachimura and Japan continued that rally, the Frenchmen could have faced an embarrassing defeat. Given these points, fans felt the call was intentional. Had it been any other game, the referees might have given him a pass even on the first technical. Now Japan faces the daunting task of winning their final game against Brazil. Else their Olympic dream will be over.
Knowing this, fans took to social media to call out the officiating. Check out some of those reactions below:
Fiba refs making Scott Foster look good
โ RGF (@rgfray1) July 30, 2024
The referees are supporting France, man and they can’t convince me otherwise
โ Lakers On ๐ (@LakersOnX) July 30, 2024
This might actually be the worst call Iโve ever seen ๐ญ
โ Unbiased News (@UBNewss) July 30, 2024
Thatโs clearly made for France to win
โ Curryglazer (@myglorious30) July 30, 2024
Olympic basketball is softer then NBA basketball
โ miguel (@livefromtheshxd) July 30, 2024
They often don’t even call a foul for things like that in the NBA. In FIBA they call flagrant. Where are the people who just said that they don’t call many fouls and let the men play?
โ NiteShorts (@NiteShorts) July 30, 2024
Vegas made the call for France ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ
โ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ (@5Elitee) July 30, 2024
I was told European basketball was tougher than the NBA ๐ค
โ 4๐ต๐ฉ๐๐ถ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ณ (@HitDatDeMar) July 30, 2024
France now has to beat FIBA World Cup winners Germany to win their group. That will give them the best seeding and favorable matchup in the knockout rounds. Therefore, had Japan won this game, the pressure would have been on France.
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