By Bugra Uzar/ Buzar@eurohoops.net
The Turkish Basketball Federation issued a press release against the decision of Barcelona to not let Sertac Sanli play with the Turkish national team on Sunday in the home game against Great Britain.
While most EuroLeague players are not released by their teams for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, due to scheduling conflict, Barcelona has already released Brandon Davies, who is the naturalized player in Uganda’s roster, to compete in the African Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Sunday’s game is more than crucial for Turkey, after losing on the road to Belarus in the first game of the FIBA “windows”.
“Sertac Sanlı, who plays for FC Barcelona of the Spanish Basketball League, will not be able to play in our national team’s match with Great Britain due to the club’s refusal”, the Turkish Basketball Federation said in a press release.
According to the text, “the Turkish Basketball Federation has conveyed its discomfort regarding the issue to FIBA and has taken the necessary steps”. In theory, there can be sanctions for Barcelona in the Spanish Liga Endesa due to this action, but this has never happened in the past.