Ricky Rubio: Olympic basket ban unfair

Ricky Rubio, the point guard with the Spanish basketball team has strongly criticized FIBA for its decision which for the moment excludes Spain from the Olympic Games.

FIBA announced earlier in April that Spain was among several countries who have been suspended from the 2016 Games as the result of a conflict between FIBA and the EuroLeague, which FIBA want to replace with a different competition.

The decision at the moment will deprive Rio of some of the best teams in the world, while the Spanish, who are also reigning European Champions, will be denied the chance to compete for a medal after winning silver in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.

"I think the war between FIBA and EuroLeague has got to a point where it doesn't make any sense," said Rubio, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.

"As a player I think Spain has earned the right to be in Rio and we showed that by winning the European Championships. I don't see why they won't let us go," he added in an interview with sports paper, Diario AS.

"Spain deserves to be in Rio because we have earned the right and for the sake of justice," commented the player who travelled to Beijing aged just 17 years old, but missed out on London as the result of a serious knee injury.

"The Beijing Games were unforgettable for me and it was bad luck to miss out on London, but I am not 17 anymore and I want to have the chance to prepare well and compete," he concluded. Endit