Euroleague Basketball competitions suspended
Euroleague Basketball announced its decision to suspend its competitions indefinitely amid the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The league released an official statement on Thursday (12/03) to address the situation.
Per the competition: “Euroleague Basketball has been closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, namely the consideration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the outbreak is a pandemic, the increased risks for all participants in games, the increasing restrictions of movement across Europe, the vast amount of traveling disruptions causing the impossibility to reach certain destinations, and the different recommendations by the health authorities that may be helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.
As a consequence of the above it has become impossible to maintain the regularity of the competitions, and in order to preserve the health and safety of the participants and fans, 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.
Euroleague Basketball will closely monitor any further developments to verify whether they allow the suspension to be reverted.”
Before the official announcement of the EuroLeague, the Players Association (ELPA) had requested for the season to be suspended.
At the same time, Real Madrid announced that one of its basketball players (Trey Thompkins) has been tested positive for the coronavirus and both the club’s basketball and football teams have been placed under quarantine.
Earlier today, Thompkins sent his first public message after he was tested positive for the virus.
In addition, Armani Milano was placed in quarantine right after the “Whites” announced that Thompkins was tested positive for coronavirus.
The Italians faced Real Madrid at home behind closed doors on March 3rd.
For his part, Panathinaikos head coach, Rick Pitino, returned to the United States and will remain there until the season starts again.