By Baggelis Patas/ info@eurohoops.net
In a very interesting move, the Greek basketball federation asked from Greek deputy minister of sport, Stavros Kodonis, to decide whether AEK BC can compete in Eurocup.
The Greek Federation announced that FIBA’s letter was send to Kodonis who according to Greek law “has the power to grant licenses to Greek clubs in order to participate in international competitions”. In theory, if AEK insists on playing in Eurocup, the club must be expelled from any Greek competition in order for the Greek national team to compete in FIBA tournaments.
The text of the press release is the following.
“The Greek Basketball Federation has received from FIBA the letter we quote. The data mentioned in the letter, and of course the possible consequences, were transferred to Deputy Minister of Sports Mr. Stavros Kontonis who, under the law n.2725/1999, art.26, par.6, is empowered to grant licenses to Greek clubs in order to participate in international competitions through the public institution services after the suggestion of the local federations for each sport. We expect the final decision, while the position of the Greek basketball federation and its relations with FIBA and IOC are known”.
Practically this is a reaction by the Greek federation to today’s quotes of FIBA executive director Europe, Kamil Novak who spoke to the Greek radio station NovaSport FM and said on the matter of AEK: “We can’t sanction a specific club, like AEK, but we have to warn the national federations about the possible sanctions for their national teams. We can’t say to the national federations what they should do and how they will act. FIBA has members, not clients. As a member you have rights, but you also have obligations”.