OFFICIAL: EuroLeague, Basket League and FIBA competitions suspended
The EuroLeague, Basket League and all FIBA competitions have been suspended with immediate effect as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
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On Thursday, the EuroLeague organisation released this following information:
“Euroleague Basketball has been closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, namely the consideration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the outbreak is a pandemic, the increased risks for all participants in games, the increasing restrictions of movement across Europe, the vast amount of traveling disruptions causing the impossibility to reach certain destinations, and the different recommendations by the health authorities that may be helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.
“As a consequence of the above it has become impossible to maintain the regularity of the competitions, and in order to preserve the health and safety of the participants and fans, Euroleague Basketball in agreement with its clubs has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 7DAYS EuroCup and Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament games until further notice.
“Euroleague Basketball will closely monitor any further developments to verify whether they allow the suspension to be reverted.”
Not long after Olympiacos had flown to Germany for their match against Olimpia Milano, the decision was released by the EuroLeague organisation, with the Erythrolefki discovering the news while flying. Olympiacos will now immediately return to Greece.
Panathinaikos were advised not to fly to Turkey for their game with Fenerbahce and remained in Athens.
The EuroCup, in which Promitheas are participating, has also been called off.
While it’s an unprecedented move by EuroLeague, it’s a decision sporting competitions are making around the world. On Wednesday night, the NBA announced that the 2019/2020 season would be suspended indefinitely.
Earlier on Thursday, the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA) confirmed that its members expressed their desire to suspend the 2019/2020 EuroLeague season as a direct result of the spread of coronavirus. An official letter was sent by the ELPA to EuroLeague Basketball and all 18 clubs to urge all parties to suspend the season indefinitely.
FIBA had earlier revealed that its competitions had also been postponed:
“Considering the current situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in order to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials and fans, FIBA today has announced that all FIBA competitions are suspended as of tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020.
“FIBA will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation or not of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it.”
AEK had recently qualified for the quarter-finals of the Basketball Champions League, a tournament which is run by FIBA.
The Basket League, the domestic Greek championship, has been called off as well:
“The running of the 21st round of the 2019/2020 EKO Basket League has been postponed for public health reasons. The ESAKE governing body is monitoring developments concerning the coronavirus issue and will hold a meeting to determine the continuation of the championship.”
With 20 rounds of the Basket League regular season in the books, reigning champions Panathinaikos hold first place, ahead of AEK and Peristeri.
