BEIJING, China: The Chinese Basketball Association has handed down financial penalties to three players besides suspending Head Coach Bob Donewald Jr indefinitely, for their involvement in the unruly and nasty scenes that eruped during friendly game against a Brazilian side earlier this week. Click here for report.

Donewald received the stiffest fine of 50,000 yuan (US$7,500 dollars), while team official Zhang Xiong was given a 30,000-yuan (US$ 4,500) penalty.

Both Donewald and Zhang were suspended from national team training and given written reprimands.

National team stars Zhu Fangyu, Ding Jinhui and Su Wei were fined 30,000 yuan (US$ 4,500) each and suspended from training, while six other players were each fined 20,000 yuan (US$ 3,000), according to a Chinese Basketball Association statement.

The CBA also punished the game referees and technical officials, suspending each from officiating at between two and five matches.

Donewald earlier apologized for his and the team’s behavior and said the players had been following his lead after he protested a call.

“As the national team coach, I am responsible for my players’ behavior on and off the court,” Donewald told a press conference on Friday.

“On reflecting on what happened, I was visibly upset and as always, my players took my lead. Unfortunately moments later, a fight ensued,” he read out from a prepared statement.

“For this unfortunate incident, I assume my responsibility as a head coach. After serious reflections, my players and I have come to realize the significant ramifications of our actions,” he said.

“We have learned our lessons. On behalf of Team China, we will act with proper professionalism and we are against all forms of violence,” he added.

“The consequences of this incident and this event are severe. Not only was it against the spirit of competition, our actions were against the adulation of our fans and the well wishing of the entire country,” he said.

“We have brought shame and disappointment to this team, to our fans and to this nation. So on behalf of the national team, I offer our sincere apologies to everyone who supports and cares about us.”

Meanwhile, a statement on the Brazilian federation’s official website www.cbb.com.br, said: “The Brazilian Confederation of Basketball (CBB) regrets what happened in the third game of the series of three friendlies between the Brazilian adult male team, represented by the Joinville Basketball Association, and the Chinese team on the Tuesday October 12 and awaits the arrival of delegation to ascertain the facts. After analyzing the video and trip report, the CBB will take the necessary measures.”

FIBA Asia