By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
There has been plenty of discussion around the new EuroLeague calendar the past few days, while FIBA also released a statement in regards to it, criticising its structure.
Here is the press release made by EuroLeague on Saturday, as an answer to FIBA:
Following recent comments and statements made to the media by organisations and individuals with regards to the 2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague calendar, Euroleague Basketball wishes to clarify the following:
1. Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have always supported national teams competitions, and will continue doing so, in the belief that they are an important part in the promotion of basketball for fans. Likewise, Euroleague Basketball has never prohibited nor limited any players from being released by their clubs to national team games and competitions, and will not do so in the future. The right of players in Euroleague Basketball competitions to accept call-ups from their national team remains.
On the contrary, Euroleague Basketball has always and tirelessly defended the freedom of choice of players, clubs, coaches and other stakeholders when it refers to where they wish to play. Euroleague Basketball has condemned any pressure or threat of sanctions, as those applied in the past by FIBA and/or its national federations, when any stakeholders are expressing their legitimate will.
Euroleague Basketball strongly condemns any kind of measure to pressure players, coaches, referees and/or clubs.
Such freedom of choice has been exercised by players on numerous occasions, without going any further with respect to the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2017. It is common knowledge that in the past numerous players both European and non-European have repeatedly decided not to accept invitations to join their national teams without any consequences, including high profile former players who are now attempting to pressure current players.
2. Euroleague Basketball does not accept any kind of discriminatory treatment towards its players, coaches, referees, observers and clubs compared to those exercising their activity in other continental leagues. This is clearly the case with the national team “windows,” as other major stakeholders have publicly expressed the non-participation of all of their players with no reaction whatsoever from FIBA.
3. Euroleague Basketball did not modify the EuroLeague calendar. Traditionally, the EuroLeague has never stopped its calendar in November or at the end of February. The fact that FIBA has decided unilaterally to organise national team games coinciding directly with the clubs’ calendar is FIBA’s responsibility alone. FIBA’s decision to do so was contrary to the agreement that Euroleague Basketball clubs had in place with FIBA since 2004. As stated since 2010, Euroleague Basketball is in favour of re-introducing official national team games on home territory. In order for these games to count with the best players from each national team, provide the best possible product for fans, the best possible promotion opportunity for the national federations, and guarantee adequate rest for players every summer, Euroleague Basketball have presented multiple alternative calendar counter-proposals to FIBA with no response.
4. Euroleague Basketball has repeatedly collaborated in promoting FIBA’s national team competitions through its own advertising and communication platforms, by providing FIBA with multiple Euroleague Basketball staff members when requested, and it would be ready to do so again in the future. Euroleague Basketball is saddened to see that to date FIBA has blocked the participation of referees, observers and other collectives from participating in major FIBA events for the sole reason of being associated with Euroleague Basketball.