Latvian Federation releases a letter criticizing FIBA calendar change / News - Basketnews.com

Latvian Basketball Association (LBS) criticized FIBA for moving the dates of World Cup Qualifiers without consulting with the federations. They say it was done to encourage EuroLeague players to join but ultimately was done unilaterally.

Credit: AFP PHOTO / OZAN KOSE- Scanpix Credit AFP PHOTO / OZAN KOSE- Scanpix

FIBA has decided to move the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers matches from November 10th and 13th to November 11th and 14th. This decision did not sit well with the Latvian Basketball Association (LBS).

LBS released a message where the Association blames FIBA for changing the calendar without taking the member federations' interests into account.

"Suddenly changing the approved competition calendar without taking into account the objections of many participating national federations does not comply with the principles of good governance, to which we drew the attention of FIBA ​​managers together with colleagues from other participating federations," General Secretary of LBS Kaspars Tsiprus writes.

Latvia is currently 1st in Group I of the Second Round with 5 wins and only 1 loss. The two games in the November window against Greece (away) and Great Britain (home) might be crucial for the team to solidify a spot in the World Cup.

LBS might be rightfully dissatisfied as the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers handbook states that FIBA may decide/need to change dates or times and shall inform the national team federation at least 60 days before the rescheduled game is due to be played.

The Latvian basketball governing body states that FIBA Europe Executive Director Kamil Novak has contacted LBS claiming that the change was made in a move to negotiate with the EuroLeague to allow more of its players to participate in the window.

LBS, meanwhile, states that "Euroleague has not yet responded to this request, however, FIBA ​​has already made changes to its approved calendar without coordinating them with the national federations."

Latvia will play the first game of the window against Greece on November 11th. Three days later, they will welcome Great Britain in Riga on November 14th.

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