French federation president takes jab at FIBA Europe, closes door on WNBA players / News - Basketnews.com

Jean-Pierre Siutat, chairman of the French Basketball Federation, commented on the absence of French representatives from the FIBA Europe board. He also banned WNBA players from the Paris Olympics, causing a strong reaction from two legends.

Credit: Imago – Scanpix Credit Imago – Scanpix

Jorge Garbajosa was elected FIBA ​​Europe President by 35 votes to 15 for his French counterpart Jean-Pierre Siutat by the General Assembly of member nations in Munich. Among the 23 members to the Bureau, no more Frenchmen are to be found.

Some weeks after the elections, Siutat evoked the fact that France had no more representatives in the organization chart.

"I know how FIBA ​​and FIBA ​​Europe work. No need for representatives in the commissions. It's not just France that was excluded. Great basketball countries like Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia were excluded too," Siutat pointed out per Basketeurope.

"I'm not going to go back to the May 20 elections, it's over," the French Basketball Federation president said.

"There is a signal from Europe to dispense with the services of France. It's a choice that has been made, we'll see. I have been fighting for five years on the protection of young talents," he stressed.

Siutat raised controversy after announcing his decision to ban French WNBA players from the squad that will compete in the 2024 Olympics.

"If a player leaves for the WNBA before the Olympics, she will not be part of the team," he clarified, mostly referring to Marine Johannes who plays with the New York Liberty.

The 2023-2024 WNBA regular season starts in May and ends around September. This coincides with the Paris Olympic Games which begin on July 26, 2024 and end on August 11, 2024.

Several important figures of French basketball have already supported Marine Johannes, including Nicolas Batum.

"Cut the crap. This girl is passionate, she has blue blood in her veins. She lives for the French team," he told the First Team media.

Tony Parker had also spoken in her favor.

"It's unfair what's going on around her. She's an incredible girl. She wants to play for the team. She hasn't missed a tournament since 2015. We want the French team with Marine in it," ASVEL's president said.

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