Euroleague Basketball Coaches Council Executive Director Goran Sasic spoke in favor of Russian teams returning to the tournament Championship. He framed the question through a personal lens rooted in his own background and long association with the Euroleague. As someone who has spent nearly a decade shaping coaching policy and strategy, Sasic suggested that a comeback by Russian clubs would add valuable competitive fire to the league, and he noted that his stance as a Serbian professional informs a broader perspective about regional participation and sporting tradition. The discussion touched on how leadership inside the coaching community views continuity, fairness, and the integrity of the competition as it evolves in a changing European basketball landscape.
“Do I want Russian clubs to return? First of all, as a Serbian, yes. Having worked in the Euroleague for nine years and as the executive director of the coaching council, I would welcome this,” said Sasic. Beyond personal sentiment, his remarks highlighted a belief that inclusion can support the development of coaching standards, player development pathways, and regional engagement. Supporters of a return argued that reintegrating Russian teams could stimulate high-level matchups, while critics focused on the need for clear governance and accountability to ensure the league maintains its competitive balance and reputational strengths. The debate underscored how governance, history, and sport form a tapestry that influences policy decisions during periods of geopolitical tension and rapid change. [citation: Euroleague governance records]
In mid-June 2022, seven out of 11 shareholders voted to block the participation of Russian clubs in the Euroleague and EuroCup next season. The decision reflected a majority opinion among owners and league administrators who cited broader concerns about regional circumstances and the impact on the competition’s integrity, schedule stability, and fan experience. The voting outcome demonstrated how governance structures in major continental competitions weigh collective interests, financial considerations, and sporting ethics when assessing a potential return for clubs from a nation involved in political conflict. Analysts noted that these votes are often driven by short-term risk assessments as well as longer-term strategic positioning for the league’s brand and broadcasting ecosystem. [citation: Euroleague shareholder minutes]
At the end of February, the Euroleague Council decided to suspend the participation of Russian clubs in European tournaments. The reason for this was the events in Ukraine. Russian clubs were subsequently excluded from the tournaments and their results were annulled. The suspension marked a significant inflection point for European basketball, signaling how external geopolitical events can reshape the composition of tournaments, affect team records, and alter the historical narrative of seasons. The decision also set a clear precedent for governance bodies to prioritize safety, competitive equity, and the perceptions of fairness among competing clubs and fans across the continent. [citation: Euroleague Council resolutions]
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to ban the men’s national teams of Russia and Belarus from the 2023 World Cup qualifiers in 2022. This action reflected FIBA’s approach to international sport governance when geopolitical conflicts intersect with global competitions. The ban extended beyond club competition, illustrating how national team eligibility can be influenced by diplomatic and security considerations, and it fed into broader discussions about sanctions, international sporting solidarity, and the criteria used to determine eligibility for future events. [citation: FIBA statements]
Andrey Vatutin, formerly president of PBC CSKA approved A lawsuit was filed against Euroleague in the Luxembourg court. The legal development added another dimension to the ongoing governance and regulatory conversation around player and club participation in top-tier European basketball. Legal challenges in such matters often revolve around interpretation of competition rules, disciplinary measures, and the rights of clubs to contest federative decisions. The Luxembourg procedural context indicated how European courts interact with sports organizations to resolve disputes over governance decisions and sanction regimes, shaping expectations for future governance reforms and transparency in the process. [citation: Luxembourg court filings]