Australian center Andrew Bogut was slapped with a fine by FIBA after his critical comments about the World Cup finals officiating last month led to a disciplinary review. In response, the one-time NBA champion took to social media to lightly shade the international basketball organization's decision to fine him.
The 34-year-old former first-overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft was fined $12 million; after which he changed his Twitter avatar photo and tweeted a not-so-subtle joke at FIFA's expense.
Per Fox Sports Australia's Olgun Uluc on Twitter, Bogut's photo on his official account now depicts the Aussie grinning while making a cash-rubbing gesture with his fingers.
Naturally, Bogut just trolled FIBA by changing his profile picture on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/szByQ1u4Vp
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) October 29, 2019
Additionally, Bogut asked on Tuesday evening in a tweet if anyone “knew the Australian dollar to Swiss Francs currency conversion rate.
The comments critical of the 2019 FIBA World Cup officiating came during Bogut and the Boomers' closely contest semi-finals game against Spain—a double-overtime loss for Australia, which sent them to the bronze medal round instead of a trip to the finals against Argentina. Spain eventually defeated Argentina to earn gold in the international competition.
Bogut and Australia, meanwhile, lost to Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Team France in the bronze medal round.
FIFA released an official statement about the fine issued to Bogut, via Yahoo! Sports:
“FIBA can confirm that Mr Bogut has been sanctioned with an official warning and a CHF8,000 (approximately $A11,800) fine, in accordance with the FIBA internal regulations, for his actions during and immediately after Australia's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 semi-final game against Spain,” a FIBA spokesperson wrote in a statement provided to AAP.
Bogut briefly returned to the Golden State Warriors at the end of the 2018-19 NBA season, and is back in the NBL with the Sydney Kings.
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