Two teammates from Mali's women's basketball team have been filmed punching each other in wild scenes after their World Cup loss to Serbia in Sydney.
The violent brawl between Salimatou Kourouma and Kamite Elisabeth Dabou broke out during a post-match interview with Serbia's Sasa Cado in the mixed zone and was caught on a Serbian news camera.
Kourouma is seen throwing a flurry of punches at Dabou, who tries to fight her teammate into a headlock, in what seemed to be defense rather than retaliation.
The teammates run to separate the pair in front of a shocked Cado.
It is not yet known what caused the fight, but the men's star player Mahamadou Kante, who was good enough to enter the NBA draft, took to Instagram to defend the couple.
I see some people who are allowed to say anything about what happened after the game against Serbia. I just want to say that it is normal for there to be misunderstandings in a family because this group for me is a family,' he wrote on his Instagram story, in French.
Kante then repeats 'It's a family' four times.
Prominent former women's player Diana Gandega, who competed for Mali at the 2008 Olympics, also deflected criticism of the fight.
In a series of lengthy posts on her Instagram page, Gandega oddly criticizes the media for reporting on the fight; but not about the plight of the athletes in advance, who, according to her, were forced to sleep in airports.
"We are still waiting for these same media to support our players (Senegalese and Malian, for example) who had to sleep on the ground at an airport due to lack of prior organization," Gendega wrote in French on her Instagram.
'An error that has stained, and will stain, an entire nation (could) even (stain) an entire sports continent. When this beautiful team fought for the jersey, there was hardly anyone (supporting). Now that there is a break, everyone transmits (the images of the fight).
'Yes, they should never have acted like this in public: dirty clothes are cleaned out of sight. Today these dirty clothes are spread out in the public square, and the whole of Africa is judged for a few minutes of stupidity.
'We do not transmit the video on our networks (because) it continues to give golf clubs. And educate our youth!' Gandega publication finished.
'Following the incident, FIBA has opened an investigation. Once the investigation is concluded, FIBA will decide on the applicable disciplinary measures," the statement said.
Kourouma is under contract to Stade Malien, a professional team based in the Malian capital, Bamako.
The forward, who is one of the best players on the team, also played in the famous NCAA college basketball in the United States for Little Rock.
He was named the league's Rookie of the Year when he played for Grayson College at the NJCAA level and received All-State honors in preparation.
Dabou plays in Mali for Center Dorinthie Basket.
Mali qualified for their second World Cup as a late replacement for African champions Nig
