MIES, Switzerland: The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), yesterday, suspended the Brazilian Basketball Federation (CBB) following recommendations of its Executive Committee meeting.
The Decision:
The Executive Committee, earlier on Monday, observed that despite the support and flexibility provided by FIBA, CBB is currently not fully complying with its obligations as a National Member Federation of FIBA under the applicable General Statutes. FIBA has on multiple occasions supported CBB before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – and which led to the recent creation of the “Taskforce for the reorganisation of the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) and the development of basketball in Brazil” – the Executive Committee believed that CBB still needs restructuring.
The Reasons:
The reasons which made FIBA decide against CBB are listed below:
- Non-participation in international competitions, such as continental youth competitions and 3×3 Senior world championships, as well as failure to organise the 3×3 World Tour event in Rio de Janeiro. A high number of players has already been affected by these absences, since they have missed the opportunity to qualify and play internationally in the upcoming years. At national level, important youth national championships have been cancelled by CBB.
- Lack of full control of basketball in the country. For example, third parties have intervened in the selection and funding of national team activities.
- Outstanding payments towards FIBA for an extended period of time, despite several grace periods granted. The overall financial situation of CBB does not permit it to finance its operations or to be in good standing in its country.
- Absence of a reform or restructuring plan before the upcoming elections.
The Future:
The Brazilian Federation has been directed to present a reform or restructuring plan before the upcoming elections.
Further, the Executive Committee expressed its displeasure for the situation of basketball in Brazil just a few months after the Olympic Games. In order to help change the situations, FIBA offered collaborative measures through the Taskforce to overcome the serious institutional, sporting and financial difficulties. Reforms will be further observed by the FIBA Executive Committee, later this month in order to stipulate concrete plans for reform.
And in the process of supporting the Federation to regain the membership, the Central Board will re-evaluate the situation in its meeting on January 28, 2017.