By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
While ice skating can’t be considered a major sport, an EU ruling for the International Skating Union demonstrates that in the similar case of FIBA versus Euroleague, the sporting federation are between a rock and a hard place.
According to the ruling “bans on athletes who take part in unauthorised events are in breach of the bloc’s anti-trust rules”.
The ISU have warned they will suspend competitors who participate in unsanctioned competitions, much like FIBA warned they will suspend players and club who participate in unsanctioned competitions, in basketball’s case the Eurocup.
The European Commission published a “preliminary view” on Tuesday according to which “International sports governing bodies play a unique role in setting the rules of the game and ensuring standards of conduct/ They are responsible for both the health and safety of athletes and for the integrity of competitions. We have concerns that the penalties the ISU imposes on skaters through its eligibility rules are not aimed at preserving high standards in sport but rather serve to maintain the ISU’s control over speed skating”.
The next ruling from the EU is expected to be about the complaints by FIBA and Euroleague pretty much on the same matter with both sides accusing each other for breach of anti-trust rules. However it was FIBA who banned or at least threaten to ban players, officials, clubs and even national teams because of their connection with Eurocup.
Meanwhile there are reports in Italy that the local basketball federation after putting the pressure on its clubs to not compete in the Eurocup this season, will change its approach next season, leaving them free to chose whatever continental competition they like.