Basketball: Russia banned from playing in women’s World Cup being held in Australia

Sporting fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine has now hit the World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia later this year.

Russia is out of the women’s basketball World Cup. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

Russia has been banned from competing in any international basketball competitions and removed from the draw for the 12-team World Cup being held in Sydney in September.

Basketball’s governing body FIBA released a statement on Wednesday declaring it was “very concerned by the recent events in Ukraine” and Russia, the 12th-ranked team in the world, would be replaced with a yet-to-be-determined country in the World Cup draw being held on Thursday.

“FIBA remains very concerned by the recent events in Ukraine and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victims,” the statement said.

“In line with the International Olympic Committee executive board resolution and its reasons, FIBA has announced today that Russian teams and officials will not be allowed to participate in FIBA Basketball and 3x3 Basketball competitions until further notice.

Russia has been removed by FIBA from participating at the #FIBAWWC in Sydney later this year hence the "TBD" final place in pot 2 for tomorrow's draw. pic.twitter.com/fIsEpEPGWy

— Damian Arsenis (@DamianArsenis) March 1, 2022

“FIBA will communicate any further decisions taken by the central board at its meeting on March 25 as well as by FIBA’s European Zone bodies in the next coming days.

“FIBA strongly condemns violence and hopes peace will urgently prevail.”

The World Cup is being held in Australia in September and the Russian replacement will come from the Washington/Santo Domingo qualifying tournament.

Worldwide sporting fallout continues to hit Russia, with bans from the IOC and FIFA among those affecting athletes in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian tennis players will be allowed to continue competing in ATP and WTA tournaments and grand slam events but will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Russia.

Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis

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— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 1, 2022