FIBA warns RBF against third-party interference in the federation’s business

The International Basketball Federation has sent a warning to the Russian basketball authorities, saying that any third-party interference in the policies of Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) could lead to sanctions, including the disqualification of the national teams from international competitions.

The move comes after the Sergei Ivanov, president of the VTB United League, who is also the Chief of Staff in the Presidential Administration of Russia, has announced the formation of a new competition – the Eastern-European Professional Basketball League. The new tournament would unite two separate competitions – the Russian Professional Basketball League and the VTB United League.

PBL chairman Andrey Vatutin, who is also vice-president of the VTBUL, has recently stated that, under the new agreement, the rights to hold the Russian league matches will be transferred from RFB to EEPBL.

According to new regulations, which come into force next year, all the federations within FIBA must provide an annual report on their activity.