Due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and EuroCup basketball tournaments have been cancelled. The Executive Board released a statement today.
Both of Europe’s top club basketball competitions have been on hold since March 12. The EuroLeague Commercial Assets Shareholders Executive Board made the decision via a remote meeting. A statement was released on their website and through their social media accounts.
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“Having explored every possible option, the Executive Board has made the decision to cancel the 2019-20 EuroLeague and EuroCup,” the organizing body said on its official Twitter account.
EuroLeague’s President and CEO Jordi Bertomeu said that health and safety were paramount and that play was unable to resume.
“Without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have had to take in our 20-year history. Due to reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut short the most successful and exciting season in European basketball history.
This comes after two and a half months in which all the league’s stakeholders maintained their determination and exhausted every possible avenue in trying to deliver a complete and uniquely special season to our fans, whose passion is the driving force for all our efforts.” Bertomeu added.
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In addition, the board has not recognised a winner for the 2019/2020 campaign. The same 18 teams that featured this year would feature in the 2020/21 campaign.
“In keeping with our continued values of sports integrity and fairness, the Executive Board decided not to recognize any team as the champion for the 2019-20 EuroLeague, nor the EuroCup,” the statement read.
Lastly, the board added that they will monitor the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they will remain in discussions with governments and public health members to ensure that the 2020/21 season starts.
The proposed start dates for the 2020/21 season are September 30 and October 1.
