Basketball: FIBA, Euroleague suspend all competitions

Ferran Bassas of Spain in action against Emanuel Cate of Romania during the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers Group match in Cluj Napoca, Romania, February 20, 2020. /VCG

The sporting world is seeing more chaos amid the coronavirus pandemic as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Euroleague Thursday announced suspending all competitions.

The development comes after NBA suspended all regular season games as Utah Jazz's all-star center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

FIBA said it is suspending all competitions indefinitely from Friday to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials and fans.

FIBA will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for continuation.

The suspension includes games in the Basketball Champions League, which is a rival competition to the better known Euroleague, and the second-tier FIBA Europe Cup. The Champions League is part-way through its playoffs.

Jason Cadee of Australia (R) takes on the defense of Jordan Ngatai of New Zealand (L) during the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifier match in Brisbane, Australia, February 20, 2020. /VCG

The move is expected to affect Chinese men's basketball team as two qualifier games for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 have been postponed by FIBA Asia due to the coronavirus outbreak, and rescheduling is not in sight.

If the pandemic is not contained soon, men's qualification for the Tokyo Olympics is also likely to be affected as China is slated to meet Canada and Greece in Canada in June.

Meanwhile, EuroLeague said, "EuroLeague Basketball in agreement with its clubs has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 7DAYS EuroCup and EuroLeague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament games until further notice."

(With input from agencies)