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Bias at the 2024 Olympic Games is the cry from basketball fans as they slammed the refereeing for France's 82-73 victory over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Canada in the quarterfinals in Paris.
The host nation for the Summer Games progressed after amassing an unassailable lead through the first two quarters to progress to the final four, but fans claim it was not without the help of the officials at the Bercy Arena.
They pointed to the amount of free throws and the sheer disparity between them as the North American nation only received eight whilst the Europeans received an astonishing 25 before half-time, contributing significantly to their 15-point buffer at the break.
Even that proved too much for the Oklahoma City Thunder's Gilgeous-Alexander to overcome, despite being regarded as one of the best shooters in the NBA, as he could only add 22 points which, to be fair, did keep Canada in the hunt.
As a result, fans ripped into the referee and declared the result was unfair to the Canadians as they bowed out of the 2024 Olympic Games without a medal to take back to Ottawa.
One user posted to X.com, formerly Twitter, "It ain't Canada Vs France it's Canada Vs The Refs."
Whilst a second added, "This is one of the worst referee'd games I've ever seen. There is a clear disparity in how they are calling France. It's so blatant. As if the olympics aren't known for being rigged."
A third commented, "This Canada Vs France game is the most obviously rigged game in sports history."
Did it make the difference?
Whilst many will point to the free-throw advantage as the reason why Canada and Gilgeous-Alexander's tournament came to an end, it might not be the only reason as France proved more lethal on the floor.
Canada could only maintain a 38% shooting rate, whilst France managed 42$ including three more three-pointers, worth 12 of the 15-point winning margin on their own.