Almost 3 years ago, on February 28, 2022, Euroleague took the decision of banning all Russian teams from the competition due to the invasion of Russia in Ukraine. It was a decision that sparkled quite heated debates on whether it was the correct one. Apart from anything else, it was clearly a decision that proved beyond any doubt, that the dominant force on this planet is politics. Typically, everyone says that the sporting world should have nothing to do with it. So do the top Asian and European bookmakers that see their work (and their plans) nullified.
The was more to the debate about CSKA and Euroleague
Perhaps the most «neutral» argument of the time was the one that claimed that Euroleague is a private organization (meaning not supported by state or country means) and CSKA was a shareholder that should not be banned. It didn’t matter either. Along with the other Russian teams they were suspended based also on the resentment of the general fan base of the time for an action that they had nothing to do with.
While the argument that politics should have nothing to do with sports is valid, there is also the vast majority of the fans that would not attend a match, because of their feelings about the issue. And that should also be taken into serious consideration, given that the income of the organization comes from sponsors, television rights and the tickets that the spectators pay for. Therefore, it was also an economic decision taken on the fear of losing about 15% of their revenue.
And now the topic of the discussion: CSKA back in Euroleague
Theodoros Papaloukas, a former basketball player that spent 8 years in CSKA and managed to receive a crown as Champion of Europe through their ranks, disclosed the issue by asking a question: «Who doesn’t want to see CSKA back in Euroleague?» It is quite indicative of the reactions the fact that most sites that maintain a comments’ section were forced to shut it down for the specific subject matter. It wasn’t just the number of people that wrote their thoughts. It was the utter hatred that was profound.
Looking at the issue objectively. Has anything changed since the original decision was made? Is the war over? Obviously no! So why stir up such a discussion? Is it because there is a new intervention of politics involved that may change the situation? Probably yes. Again…. the one thing that should not intervene, did indeed intervene.
If the issue prevails and CSKA returns to Euroleague, then it is a clear message that the original decision was incorrect and they should have never been suspended. It is also a clear indication that such decisions are heavily influenced by external reasoning. If the suspension remains, just because the ruling body wants to maintain the correctness of the original decision, then it’s an indication that there is too much rigidness. So, it’s from the frying pan to the fire.
Nothing is official yet
Typically, the question has not been placed yet to the board to make a decision. It could just be an attempt to weight the public’s response to the possibility. On the bright side of the equation, if the club is indeed accepted back, then there will be a whole new set of opportunities for the punters that will dare to open an account at the best betting software and stay only at the sporting side of the matter, placing bets objectively.
