The Lithuanian basketball federation voted on Wednesday to suspend Lietuvos rytas, a club that chose to compete in the Eurocup, in response to FIBA's pressure, according to XINHUA. The decision "was taken with absolute majority," the federation announced after holding an immediate vote. The procedure "was held in response to the threat" that the Lithuanian men's national team could be banned from the Rio Olympics. Lithuania is among 14 European basketball federations that have faced FIBA's pressure because their basketball clubs "have chosen to compete in the Euroleague and the Eurocup" instead of FIBA' s proposed Basketball Champions League. Responding to the federation's decision, Lietuvos rytas announced "it will not change its decision." Club Manager Martynas Purlys said, "Nothing has changed. We've already chosen, we will play in the matches held by the Euroleague" (XINHUA, 4/20).
SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS: The Spanish Basketball League (ACB) requested an explanation from FIBA of the reasons for the sanctions given to the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB). In a letter signed by ACB President Francisco Roca, the league asks FIBA to explain "the exact foundation of the sanction" (EFE, 4/21).
