Olympic basketball ban on Spain unfair: Ricky Rubio

Madrid, May 1: Spain’s point guard Ricky Rubio has strongly criticised the world basketball governing body FIBA for its decision to exclude Spain from the Olympic Games.

FIBA announced in April that Spain was among several countries that have been suspended from the 2016 Games as a result of a conflict between FIBA and the EuroLeague, which the former wants to replace with a different competition, reports Xinhua.

The decision will deprive Rio of some of the best teams in the world, while the Spanish, who are reigning European champions, will be denied the chance to compete for a medal after winning silver in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.

“I think the war between FIBA and EuroLeague has got to a point where it doesn’t make any sense,” Rubio said.

He plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the tiol Basketball Association (NBA) in the US. IANS