Basketball Australia’s chief revealed the players feared for their safety after a mass brawl with the Philippines in Monday’s World Cup qualifier.

Players of both nations exchanged flying kicks and punches where 13 were ejected following the melee. It came after a Philippines player appeared to catch an opponent with an elbow.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Basketball Australia’s chief executive Anthony Moore said: “We had our players and team management and our coaches in fear of their physical safety. Are we going to be able to get out of here unscathed?”

The visitors kept their players and coaches courtside after the game and sought help from the Australian embassy to get the team safely out to their bus and their hotel.

“Our athletes and coaches actually stayed on the court for a considerable amount of time, (it was) the safest place for our players and our coaches,” he added.

FIBA confirmed both Australia and the Philippines will receive punishments.