Alex Abrines takes jab at officiating of game vs. Canada / News - Basketnews.com

After Spain's loss to Canada and their early elimination from the World Cup, Alex Abrines commented on the officiating. On the other hand, one of his teammates pointed out a different reason for the outcome.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Spain are still the reigning world champions, but that will change soon, as Team Canada forced 'La Roja' to an early exit from the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Player of the Game EFF 36 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points 30 Accuracy 7-12 Rebounds 4 Assists 7

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett and Dillon Brooks were the authors of a huge win for the Canadian side that vaulted the squad into the quarter-finals and also into the 2024 Paris Olympics. Spain had the lead for the better part of the game that decided which side would go through.

But Canada withstood the test, after trailing by nine (39-48) at half-time. Thanks to a partial score of 16-4 in the third quarter, the Canadians got the upper hand. Spain reacted again, led by Santi Aldama and Willy Hernangomez, but that wasn't enough.

After the game, Alex Abrines was the first Spanish player to talk to the media. He had been the last player to attempt a field goal while on the court, but his long-distance shot missed the target.

The Spanish swingman was asked about the referees' decisions. The officiating trio was composed by Julio Anaya (Panama), Juan Fernandez (Argentina), Jenna-Jordan Reneau (USA).

"The officiating was disappointing," Abrines started.

"There are many protagonists on the court and the refs can't be that. A game of this caliber and we are all playing it, both teams," he continued. "The protagonists are us, not them."

Following Latvia's loss to Canada, coach Luca Banchi had slammed the game officials, arguing that contacts were not judged by the same criteria from the very beginning. "Three referees from America doesn't sound fair," he pointed out.

FIBA appointed three referees from the same continent in the Canada-Spain decider as well, with Fernandez and Reneau being in charge in both games.

"Not only in this match, but throughout the whole tournament, refs made bad calls," Abrines commented. "I'm not saying it was in favor of us or against us, it doesn't matter. One day, the calls go one side, another day they go the other side," he added.

In a similar vein, Willy Hernangomez was asked to comment on the referees' decisions at the postgame presser.

"I never talk about the referees," the forward of FC Barcelona replied.

"They are people and they try to do their job as well as possible like us. If we lost, that's more due to Canada going out with more force than us than to things that have to do with the referees."

Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.