LAUSANNE, Switzerland: FIBA has raised the stakes in a dispute with 14 European members over controlling continent-wide club basketball competitions by suggesting Spain could lose its 2016 Olympics place.
FIBA says its executive committee meeting next weekend "will discuss the possibility of taking decisions in relation to worldwide events."
These include the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where 2012 silver medalist Spain has already qualified, and Olympic qualifying tournaments in July, including two hosted by Serbia and Italy.
Spain, Serbia and Italy are among 14 federations given a Wednesday deadline by FIBA to prove their clubs don't have agreements with Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA).
The ECA is a private, club-supported organizer of the established Euroleague and Eurocup events.
FIBA and its European subsidiary have launched a rival Champions League to start next season.
AP
