By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
German Basketball League managing director Stefan Holz released a statement saying that BBL will “refrain from sanctions” on players who protest against racism in the upcoming 10-team tournament. Holz had previously said that the no protests will be allowed, sparking numerous reactions by league clubs and players against his comments
Holz’s statement is as follows, per BBL:
“As a league, we have the task of referring to statutes and checking their compliance. But that says nothing about our personal concern and distress about the situation in the United States. Right now, we feel great solidarity, especially to our professionals in our league who come from North America and with those who want to set an example. Since the BBL has always stood for cosmopolitanism and diversity, we want to deal with the situation sensitively. Because the athletes are primarily interested in making a statement against racism and not in individual political opinions. Therefore, we will of course refrain from sanctions in this process.”