By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Despite the notable exception of the Slovenian federation the rest of the 13 national federations which have seen their national teams banned, or in danger to be banned from Eurobasket 2017 have aligned themselves to FIBA.
The Greek federation council met today and they confirmed that they will act according to FIBA decision which in this specific case will mean the ban of AEK from any Greek competition, if the club insists on playing in Eurocup.
As the announced in a press release which doesn’t name AEK directly: “The Greek federation council agreed to support unanimously the International Federation and its actions, given that this is the official statutory body of the sport worldwide and it is the duty of each national federation to follow the laws and rules based and set by the Olympic Charter of IOC. This was publicly confirmed by the Deputy Minister of Sports Mr. Stavros Kontonis after meeting with the Bureau of the Greek federation on the 20th of April.
It’s unanimously agreed and understood that the role of the Greek Basketball Federation is to defend the interests and progress of the sport in the country and prevent any danger to the future of national teams and international representation of Greek basketball. Following the above, it was unanimously agreed that in any case a final and conclusive association agreement on participation in a competition not recognized by FIBA will result to penalties provided by law, regulations and the applicable statute of FIBA, as is the case with all the European federations face the same serious problem”.