BC Donetsk withdraws from VTB League

Ukrainian team BC Donetsk has officially withdrawn from the VTB United League. The VTB United League is a regional league participated in mostly by former Soviet Union teams. Team management officially informed the VTB League directorate about its intention to not play in its remaining games, citing the departure of some its players and the current political instability in their home country.

Here is part of the official press release on the VTB United website regarding the withdrawal of BC Donetsk:

The VTB United League Directorate met today and reviewed a letter from Ukrainian club Donetsk, in which the club gave official notice that it does not have the ability to continue its participation in the current championship.

Based on the received information, the extremely instable political and economic situation in the country influenced the club’s day-to-day affairs. The team’s foreign players have left, as well as its leading Ukrainian players, and it is not possible to guarantee the safety of teams that would travel to Donetsk for games.

Prior to this move by BC Donetsk, there was already been a recent exodus of many basketball players from several Ukrainian clubs. The political situation of the country has spilled over into the arena of sports and this is one example of such a ripple effect.