Drama in ABA League: Dubai Announces Lawsuit After Decision to Play on Neutral Ground

(Patria) - The ABA League Presidency has decided that Dubai cannot play its semifinal and potential final playoff matches on its home court in the United Arab Emirates. President Jure Blažič and vice-presidents Dragan Bokan and Ostoja Mijailović made the decision unanimously, but the problems have not ended with that.

Basketball club Dubai sent a letter to the ABA League providing security guarantees for the teams that would travel to the United Arab Emirates, and Budućnost and Cluj were also offered a charter flight for the return after the first match scheduled for May 20, N1 reports.

The ABA League forwarded this letter to Budućnost and Cluj, requesting that they state their position or provide confirmation from competent institutions that they cannot travel to Dubai for security reasons. As there was no response by the deadline, Dubai thanked Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely Sarajevo and Zenica, for their hospitality, and traveled to the UAE to begin organizing the match against Budućnost.

However, immediately after the match with Cluj, the Budućnost Board of Directors announced that, after consultations with players and the coaching staff, the team cannot travel to the United Arab Emirates for security reasons, deciding unanimously.

The possibility that Dubai will file a lawsuit against the ABA League is now closer. The club from the UAE will reportedly cite the fact that it traveled based on the ABA League's decision, as well as a potential conflict of interest, since the decision was made by Dragan Bokan and Ostoja Mijailović, presidents of Budućnost and Partizan, clubs that are also contending for the title.

Dubai will, according to media reports, question why it was not invited to the meeting and why the decision was not made by the ABA League Assembly. It will also consider its future participation in the regional competition.

Although it has been decided that Dubai will play on neutral ground, the venue is still unknown, and the first semifinal match against Budućnost, scheduled for May 20, is currently in great doubt.

Otherwise, KK Dubai sent a message to Sarajevo and the public in the capital of BiH.

"From the first night in Sarajevo, it was a special bond. 🤍

Thank you for every cheer from the stands, for every moment of support and all the memories we created together.

A real home away from home", the post states.