EuroLeague's decision on Israel! Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes want to play on neutral court
EuroLeague management has decided that the home games of the Israeli teams will be played in Israel. Our representatives Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce Beko stood by their decision not to travel to Israel. After the decision, which also concerns our EuroCup representatives Besiktas and Bahcesehir College, the first official statement came from the Yellow-Lacivertians.
EuroCup and EuroLeague games will resume in Israel on December 9 and 11 respectively. Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce Beko remain committed to not traveling to Israel.
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HERE IS THE EUROLEAGUE DECISION
EuroLeague Commercial Assets (ECA) member clubs met to discuss the current situation in Israel. In line with security measures and discussions with local authorities, Israeli teams will continue to play home games from December 1. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg in the EuroCup is scheduled for December 9, while the Euroleague will resume on December 11 with Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
STATEMENT FROM FENERBAHCE
Cem Ciritci, Fenerbahçe Club's Men's Basketball Manager Cem Ciritci said in a statement: "EuroLeague allows games to be played outside of Israel if there is a governmental decision. In other words, if our state sees a problem with us traveling to Israel, then the games can be played on neutral courts. If such a decision is made by our government, we would like to play our matches at a neutral ground."
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In the statement made on the official website, the following statements were made:
"Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) member clubs met on Thursday, November 27 to discuss the current situation in Israel. The meeting followed the announcement on October 21 that December 1 is the provisional date for the resumption of matches in the country.
During the meeting, the clubs received a detailed briefing on the official visit of the Euroleague Basketball (EB) delegation to Israel last week. The visit included a comprehensive on-site inspection of the current conditions and the security measures to be implemented, as well as official meetings with various government bodies. The clubs also reviewed the EB's latest discussions with local and international authorities, the visiting teams and all relevant organizations, including ELPA, EHCB and UEBO, which were actively involved and kept informed throughout the monitoring phase.
After careful consideration, Euroleague Basketball has decided to put the return plan into action and resume the tournament in Israel from the 10th week of the EuroCup and the 15th week of the EuroLeague. The first game in Israel since October 2023 is scheduled for December 9, when Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem hosts Veolia Towers Hamburg in the EuroCup. The EuroLeague returns on December 11 with a match between Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, while Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will make its home debut against Red Star Meridianbet Belgrade on December 16.
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Euroleague Basketball will continue to closely monitor developments and be in constant contact with local and international authorities, visiting teams and all relevant organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of all concerned. In this context, the return plan submitted by the EB management commits to full cooperation and compliance with any national government recommendations or restrictions on travel to Israel by its local teams."
TURKISH TEAMS EXPECTED TO PLAY ON NEUTRAL GROUND
On the other hand, Turkish teams in the Euroleague and EuroCup, which play their home games against Israeli teams on neutral courts, are expected to continue to play on neutral courts.
