A workforce that performed in a basketball event in Russia usurped the colours and identify of the Colombian nationwide workforce, the nation’s basketball federation stated Thursday.
The federation stated it is going to take authorized motion “for the improper use of our picture and brand” and that it by no means acquired a proper proposal to take part within the event within the Russian metropolis of Perm.
“The Colombian Basketball Federation didn’t grant endorsement to any membership to take part within the Russian Friendship Cup,” the group stated in an announcement.
The workforce was routed 155-53 by a neighborhood Perm squad earlier than dropping 108-57 to Venezuela.
The president of the Russian federation, former NBA participant Andrei Kirilenko, stated they did nothing improper.
“We want to emphasize that each one our interactions with the Colombian workforce came about completely by official communication channels,” Kirilenko informed Match TV. “Our place stays unchanged: all communications and coordination are performed solely by verified and official sources.”
The workforce sporting Colombia’s colours was scheduled to play Russia on Friday, however the recreation was canceled.
“After the primary recreation, we perceive that the present stage of the Colombian workforce is lagging behind what was anticipated, which causes some disappointment for all of us,” Kirilenko stated. “On this regard, we now have already revised the schedule and format of the event to make sure a extra balanced and aggressive competitors.”