By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Tony Parker as the owner of French club ASVEL and the rest of the French league announced tonight that they are not willing to fully commit to FIBA and turn their backs in the Euroleague.
As ASVEL announced despite playing this season in the FIBA Europe Cup, Parker made the following statement: “Following discussions with the French Basketball Federation and its president Jean-Pierre Siutat, our public, our partners and our players, we have decided to participate in the FIBA Europe Cup. It was not in our plans to attend the third rated European competition, the project and the Euroleague level was always our ambition. In line with our initial goal we maintain our determination to participate in the Euroleague or the Eurocup, which are currently the highest levels of European basketball. This choice is thoughtful and if any sanctions are to be taken by the authorities, we are ready to take the consequences. The French basketball must necessarily participate in major European competitions and therefore its future is a priority for me”.
According to “L’ Equipe” also the rest of the league decided that they want to play also in the Eurocup and announced their decision to the federation, while six club president made a joint statement on the matter . The French federation was the first to align with the wish of FIBA for a “remodeling” of the European club competitions, however the clubs decided otherwise.