FIBA Suspends Lebanon's Basketball Membership
The basketball world governing body, FIBA, announced on Thursday the suspension of Lebanon's membership.
The suspension means that the country's national basketball team will be barred from taking part in international tournaments.
This includes the upcoming 27th Asian Championship set to take place in the Philippines from August 1-11.
Contrary to reports, LBCI television said that the duration of the suspension was not revealed.
Media reports had stated on Thursday that the suspension will last four years.
The national team is expected to make a press conference on Saturday in order to address the decision.
FIBA was seeking to suspend Lebanon's membership over disputes within the Lebanese Basketball Union that saw the judiciary meddle in the sports affairs.
The basketball crisis in Lebanon began with disputes over elections within the union.
The dispute took place between the Free Patriotic Movement, which backs the Champville basketball team, and an alliance of President Michel Suleiman, who backs the Amchit team, the Mustaqbal Movement, and caretaker Minister Mohammed al-Safadi.
A dispute emerged during a league game between Champville and Amchit, which prompted judicial interference, which sided with the latter team, said LBCI.
The union, which was dominated by FPM officials after the elections, considered the judicial interference as being politicized, which resulted in the suspension of the league.
The union then requested that FIBA intervene to resolve the crisis.
It demanded that the disputed sides end their problems by signing an understanding, which they failed to do.
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