War in Ukraine: Basketball players playing in Russia and Belarus will be deprived of the French team

French basketball players will have to choose between a contract in Russia or the possibility of wearing a Blue jersey. As a matter of fact, the French Basketball Federation announced that players who played in Russia or Belarus during the conflict in Ukraine can no longer be selected for the French team. “Players and staff of French teams will no longer be eligible if they sign a contract with a Russian or Belarusian club as long as the conflict continues”Specifies the Federation in the introduction. “In addition to sanctions and measures to limit partnerships and other financial support from the Russian state and organizations with ties to Belarus, international sports federations, including FIBA, have decided not to include national teams, clubs and Russian athletes in international competitions.”Announcing its support for these sanctions, the FFBB continues.

The decision of the French Basketball Federation about not being selected “It also applies to players, players and staff who have signed a contract with a Russian or Belarusian club”. This also shows that “All selected delegations in the senior men’s and women’s French team are invited to sign an affidavit (…) stating that they are not engaged and will not enter into an agreement with a Russian or Belarusian club during the conflict with Ukraine.” under penalty of exclusion “For the next international deadlines, including the 2024 Olympic Games”.

Two French international players are currently affected by this measure: Livio Jean-Charles from CSKA Moscow (4 picks) and Louis Labeyrie (33 picks) who have signed for Kazan club most Parisian. The envy of the Saint Petersburg club, Thomas Heurtel (84 picks), will have to choose between his experience in Russia and his international future with the Blues. CL