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Ada Li

The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has apologised to China’s national team and their fans after describing their victory over Japan as “a sneaky win” on social media.
China came from behind to beat hosts Japan 87-80 in their Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers match on Thursday in Okinawa, overturning a 14-point deficit in the second half.
After the game, the sport’s governing body posted the result on its official social media platforms with the caption: “Drama in Okinawa. China with a sneaky win over Japan.”
The word “sneaky”, which can carry a negative or disrespectful connotation, immediately sparked anger among Chinese fans, who flooded the comments sections.
“Who are you calling sneaky? You should know yourself better,” one user wrote. Another added: “This was not a sneaky win, China earned it fair and square.”

Others pointed to disputed fourth-quarter calls, saying “the referee decisions were the real problem”, noting that “China were called for eight fouls in the final five minutes, Japan only two”.
Some also mentioned that star guard Zhao Rui was forced out of the game after committing his fifth foul.
Fiba later edited the caption to: “Drama in Okinawa. China turn things around in the second half and get the W against Japan.”
Still, the change failed to calm public anger, with the incident remaining the top trending topic on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Friday.
The governing body issued an official apology that evening, addressing “Chinese national team, its fans and the entire Chinese basketball community”.
“The language used in our post about last night’s game result was inappropriate,” Fiba said. “Team China’s victory was earned through talent, effort and determination.”

Fiba added that the original posts had been removed or edited on all platforms, wishing China “all the best … for the remainder of the Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers”.
The statement appeared in both Chinese and English on Chinese social media and in English on Fiba’s English social media accounts, including Instagram.
The win on Thursday was crucial for China, who sit third in Group B after two earlier defeats to South Korea in the first qualifying window. The top three teams from each group advance to the next stage, and the comeback victory strengthened China’s hopes of progress.
China will next face Chinese Taipei in the Philippines on Sunday.


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Fiba (International Basketball Federation)

Basketball world governing body apologises to China after calling win over Japan ‘sneaky’

Zhao Jiwei (front) and his China teammates celebrate after their win over Japan at the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Okinawa on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

The word “sneaky” sparked anger among Chinese fans. 

Fiba issued an apology on its social media platforms on Friday evening.

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Sport

China

Basketball

Use of the word on Fiba’s social media posts after World Cup qualifier sparks anger, leading to changes and an official apology


Use of the word on Fiba’s social media posts after World Cup qualifier sparks anger, leading to changes and an official apology.


Weibo

Basketball world governing body apologises to China after calling win over Japan ‘sneaky’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Use of the word on Fiba’s social media posts after World Cup qualifier sparks anger, leading to changes and an official apology

Use of the word on Fiba’s social media posts after World Cup qualifier sparks anger, leading to changes and an official apology