The Euroleague presented a complaint to the European Commission in which it accuses FIBA and FIBA Europe of violating the laws of competition, according to Julián Felipo of MUNDO DEPORTIVO. FIBA confirmed the Euroleague filed the complaint and lamented that Euroleague President Jordi Bertomeu's organization "opted to go to the courts over having a dialogue about the conflict between the organizations" over the future of club competitions. It "is yet to be seen how the conflict will now be resolved" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 2/20). FIBA said in a statement, "FIBA received notification of this complaint on Friday 19 February and will review it over the coming days. After refusing FIBA’s proposal to enter into a partnership in November 2015, Euroleague confirms with this legal action that it has no intention of entering into a constructive dialogue with FIBA to try to resolve the current situation surrounding club competitions in Europe. FIBA remains focused on delivering, jointly with the domestic leagues, European competitions that benefit both the market and European basketball as a whole" (FIBA). EUROHOOPS' Aris Barkas reported while FIBA considers the Euroleague's move an "act of war," according to "sources near the situation," it was "expected." Euroleague wants via this move to confirm that its club, players and referees "will not suffer any sanctions by FIBA in the future." Of course, this is "without any doubt a move that challenges the authority of FIBA over European basketball" (EUROHOOPS, 2/21).
