FIBA have backed the stance of continental body FIBA Europe ©FIBA

Olympic silver medallists Spain are among a group of countries still in danger of missing this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced their "full support" of FIBA Europe's decision to ban 14 teams.

FIBA Europe had sent letters to 14 countries warning them about their association with the un-sanctioned Euroleague - currently the continent's premier club competition.

Any Federation that backed the Euroleague - run by Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) - would automatically lose the right to participate in senior men's national team competitions, including the Olympic Games, they warned.

Eight countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain - have leagues or clubs which have entered into an agreement with the ECA.

The remaining six countries in the 14 - Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey - have received letters drawing their attention to "recent reports and public statements" which suggest that one or more of their clubs may have entered into an agreement with ECA.

FIBA decided to back the stance of their European arm following a meeting at the House of Basketball in Geneva, they announced.

London 2012 silver medallists Spain are in danger of missing out on Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
London 2012 silver medallists Spain are in danger of missing out on Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

"After receiving a report by FIBA Europe on the latest developments in European club competitions, the FIBA Executive Committee decided to fully support FIBA Europe’s decision," a statement said.

"The Executive Committee requested FIBA Europe to meet this week with all concerned European National Federations in order to review and discuss their domestic initiatives.

"The implementation of the decisions at European and World level would follow this consultation process."

FIBA's Executive Committee will invite Euroleague Commercial Assets to meet at the House of Basketball in the next few days, it was added.

FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann, the newly-elected President of SportAccord, has warned his sport "cannot be in the hands of a few rich clubs".

Spain and Lithuania have already qualified for the men's tournament at Rio 2016, with others in the 14 still hopeful of joining them.

FIBA is expected to study each country individually before making any firm decision regarding Rio 2016, although the statement has been interpreted by the Spanish media as a sign they could be banned from the Olympics. 

FIBA and FIBA Europe are supported by much of the sports administration world, however, with Ireland's European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey warning how action must be taken to "protect the integrity" of the Olympics.

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