MOSCOW, Apr 1 Italy national basketball team refuses to play World Cup qualifier with the Russian team if allowed, according to the website of the Italian Basketball Federation. Earlier, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) decided to remove Russian athletes and officials from participating in all competitions under the auspices of the organization due to the situation in Ukraine. It was noted that the decision may be reconsidered. «As a result of the decisions of other European countries and the statement of the President of the National Olympic Committee of Italy, Giovanni Malago, the Italian Basketball Federation decided that the national team will not play the fifth match of the first qualifying stage for the 2023 World Championship against the Russian team , which is scheduled for July 1. A similar decision was made by the federations of the Netherlands and Iceland, both of which are in the same group with the & # 160; team of Italy, «the message on the website of the Italian Basketball Federation says. The meeting is scheduled for July 1. The Russian national team leads group H, having won all three matches. The Italians have played four meetings and are second with 6 points. Next are the national teams of Iceland (6 points, 4 matches) and the Netherlands (3 points, 3 matches).
