By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The results of the Russian federation ban proved to be short lived. FIBA central board decided to “uphold the suspension”, however Russian teams can compete in FIBA events.
After this decision, Russian teams and clubs can still compete in any FIBA tournament and that means that Russia will be present, as expected, in Eurobasket 2015. The only casualty of this ban is the Russian U16 men’s team, which lost the chance to play in the Eurobasket U16.
As for the Russian federation, it has until the 30rd of April 2016 to comply with FIBA rules. According to the press release: “After hearing a report by the Russian Basketball Federation (RBF), Russian Ministry of Sport and Russian Olympic Committee at its meeting on Sunday, FIBA’s Central Board decided to uphold RBF’s suspension but to exceptionally grant players and officials (coaches, referees, commissioners) the right to participate in the upcoming FIBA events.
The suspension was issued by FIBA’s Executive Committee on 29 July because of the RBF’s inability to resolve longstanding institutional and legal issues. These have prevented the Federation from working under proper conditions and maintaining full control and governance in the country – as proven by the repeated changes in leadership over the past five years and the recently published Court decision against the RBF.
A FIBA Task Force will be established to monitor and supervise the situation as well as to ensure that progress is made by the RBF in establishing statutes and regulations in compliance with FIBA and in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Sport and Russian Olympic Committee.
The revised RBF statutes and regulations must be implemented at the latest by 30 April 2016”.