The Gold Coast 2018 sports programme was approved last June June, but Iliev claimed FIBA have an understanding The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will "accept" the innovative form of the game.

Iliev claimed the CGF is due to take a decision on the matter at its General Assembly in Auckland in September.

Gold Coast 2018 have told insidethegames, however, the sports programme will not be changed.

"3x3 basketball will not feature in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games," said Tamara Morris, manager of communications and marketing at Gold Coast 2018. 

"It will definitely be the traditional five-a-side with our sport programme actually signed off by the CGF last June."

Basketball last featured in the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne 2006 ©Getty Images




Basketball is due to make its first appearance at the Commonwealth Games since Melbourne 2006, having not been included at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014.

The preliminary rounds of the men's and women's competitions are scheduled to take place at the Cairns Convention Centre and Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, with the finals being held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games are due to be staged from April 4 to 15.

It is set to be the fifth time that Australia has hosted the event, following Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and Melbourne nine years ago.

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March 2015: Exclusive: Gold Coast 2018 set to replace basketball with 3x3, claims FIBA sports director