Basketball Australia (BA) has been called out for racial discrimination after Melbourne Boomers’ star, Tiffany Mitchell, called out the sport for banning long braids on the court.

Mitchell was allegedly sent emails from BA threatening to keep her off the court if she didn’t have her braids put in a bun.

Mitchell said: “Until this past week I was met with a situation that was clear racial discrimination.”

“It’s clear only the black people in this league have these types of braids,” she said.

BA has since released a statement saying they have removed the rule due to its discriminatory nature.

“The policy has been deemed discriminatory and inconsistent with Basketball Australia’s Diversity and Inclusion framework by the WNBL Commission,” the statement said.

BA highlighted the rule is not imposed in any other country.

“It is also not enforced in either the WNBL, other leading professional women’s leagues around the world or international competitions such as the Olympics and World Cup,” Basketball Australia said.

The organisation has since released an official apology to the people it has offended.

“Basketball Australia makes an unreserved apology for any anguish and pain that was caused by this rule,” BA said.

Mitchell said her teammates supported her; however, it did not make the situation easier.

“I am completely thankful for my club as they stood behind my teammate and myself that had braids and they were very supportive,” Mitchell said.

“Goes to show we have a long way to go for equality all over the world,” she said.