Home FIBA EuroBasket 2015 Russia suspended by FIBA and could miss EuroBasket

Russia suspended by FIBA and could miss EuroBasket

Photo © Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Europe

FIBA has announced the suspension of the Russian Basketball Federation with immediate effect.

The suspension comes after two years of controversial infighting within the federation, which went full circle just last month when a Russian court ordered new elections for all senior posts.

An earlier court ruling overturned the federation’s 2013 presidential election result, in which Yulia Anikeeva controversially ousted former WNBA player Svetlana Abrosimova, who alleged there were many breaches of election rules.

The off-court troubles showed on the floor as well, with both Russia’s men and women’s national sides being dumped out at the group stages of their respective Eurobasket championships in 2013.

Below is FIBA’s statement on the matter.

The FIBA Executive Committee decided to suspend with immediate effect the Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) in view of the fact that the RBF has been unable to resolve longstanding institutional and legal issues preventing the Federation to work under proper conditions and maintain full control and governance in the country, as proven by the recently published Court decision against the RBF.

As a consequence, the RBF forfeits its rights as member of FIBA, and its teams and officials may not participate in official competitions or activities.

Russia’s men won a bronze medal at London 2012 and the women captured the Eurobasket Women’s crown in 2011 in Poland.

FIBA said the Russian federation could report on its situation at an upcoming board meeting in Tokyo on August 8-9, but if they do not give a positive outlook on their bleak situation, then the men’s team could forfeit their place at this summer’s Eurobasket championship, where they are due to open against Israel on September 5.

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