By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In an interview given to AFP and published by “Marca” Baumann accusing the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the situaton created in European basketball. ”Players and fans are affected by the attitude held by the EuroLeague”, FIBA secretary general said at AFP. “EuroLeague is responsible for deliberately and cynically arranging games during Qualifiers, putting players in a difficult position to choose between clubs and national teams”.
According to Baumann: “Euroleague knew about the “windows” two years ago when FIBA’s calendar was created and knew what would happen if the two calendar had coincided. Nevertheless, they decided to continue and create a situation that affects players, fans and the sport. All this could have been avoided even recently, when we proposed the solution to go eight days back for 1-2 days, but EuroLeague insisted on imposing its program for the benefit of a small group of players. We knew from the beginning the absence of NBAers, but it is a decision taken worldwide by FIBA members. EuroLeague is acting badly. We believe they want to break the existing system and we want to preserve the model with national championships and national teams. Anyone who intends to boycott this model, will face the consequences. If necessary, we will allow the Commission and the other European Authorities to decide what is right and legitimate and what is not.”
And as Baumann explains, the only way to be in the World Cup will be to qualify: “There will be no wildcards. Even the USA have to qualify. Only China as the host of the event is already qualified“.