During the Commonwealth Games women’s basketball final on Saturday night, Opals star Liz Cambage was ejected from the court three minutes into the second quarter.
Cambage appeared to be fouled multiple times by England’s Azania Stewart, and when Stewart reached across her as she was headed for the hoop, Cambage was awarded two free throws. She appeared to question, however, why it had taken so long for the referee to call the fouls.
Just as she was due to take her free throws, Cambage had an exchange with the referee, and was hit with a technical foul and had to leave the court.
Seven’s commentators seemed confused as to what had transpired.
Drama for the Opals!
????????@ecambage gets EJECTED from the game after arguing with the ref#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/iQB0zbko8E
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018
“There’s a tense conversation between Liz Cambage and the referee…” said commentator John Casey.
“This is really interesting, I am not sure if Liz is watching, I think she might think that the ball was ripped. Wait, a technical foul has been called on Liz Cambage.
“I can only assume it’s because she was speaking to the referees.”
As the crowd realised Cambage had been ejected, they started to boo.
“Oh my god. This is really unusual. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like that,” said another commentator.
“I am just confused, Australia will still get foul shots. They will not lose possession.
“It’s a tech foul and an unsportsmanlike foul so it seriously means she’s ejected from the game.”
Looks like ref said Liz Cambage was ejected from the gold medal match for saying, “You’re f***ing kidding”.
— Ben D’Arcy (@ben_darcy) April 14, 2018
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Top Comments
I've played for years - it was drilled into us never to argue with the ref regardless of how hard done by you felt since it is an automatic tech foul.
It was in every basketball class 101
I think an automatic tech foul is a bit harsh. I've played semi-pro ball, and umpired a level below that. I wouldn't call a tech after a reasonable question. What Liz did I certainly would have though.