The assembly of the Euroleague of basketball has agreed to exclude from the next edition of the European basketball competition par excellence the Russian teams of the CSKA Moscow and the Zenit Saint Petersburg for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This decision has only had the vote against the Maccabi from Tel Avivone of the founding clubs of the competition.
The decision made by the Israeli team could open a gap between the participating clubs, since several of them are considering the possibility of not playing their matches with Macabbi as a protest for not supporting an initiative that transcends sports, and that intends to send a message of rejection of the atrocities that are being committed in Ukraine. In addition, the AX Armani Exchange Milan and the Panathinaikoswho have abstained, are also the target of criticism as they are accused of “looking the other way”.
Of the 11 founding clubs with the right to vote, 7 of them, including the Spanish Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Saski Baskonia, have voted in favor of excluding the Russian teams from the next edition.
On the other hand, the same assembly has decided to issue an official participation invitation to Valencia Basket and Partizan Belgrade for this 2022/2023 season, with the aim that they can play the championship to the detriment of the Russian teams.
