The UK has cancelled visas for members of the Belarusian nationwide males’s basketball staff over Minsk’s assist for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the house secretary mentioned.
Belarus was scheduled to play the Nice Britain staff in Newcastle on Monday however the match was cancelled within the sporting world’s newest present of opposition to Moscow’s insurgence.
Priti Patel mentioned in a tweet: “I’ve cancelled the visas of the Belarusian Males’s Basketball Crew who had been attributable to play in Newcastle tomorrow night time.
“The UK is not going to welcome the nationwide sports activities groups of these international locations who’re complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine.”
The Belarusian authorities of Alexander Lukashenko has allowed Russian forces to enter Ukraine from its territory.
Moscow had been staging army workouts in neighbouring Belarus and Nato estimated 30,000 Russian troops had been inside its borders earlier than the invasion.
Mr Lukashenko mentioned Belarusian troops may participate within the operation in opposition to Ukraine if wanted, and that he’ll talk about strengthing the nation’s western flank with Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, Britain summoned the Belarusian ambassador, Maxim Yermalovich, to protest Minsk’s complicity within the Russian assault.
Observe reside updates on the battle in Ukraine right here.
The GB-Belarus sport was cancelled on Friday night time. An announcement from the Worldwide Basketball Affiliation (Fiba) mentioned: “The choice is predicated on the analysis of the present safety state of affairs.
“Fiba is carefully monitoring the safety state of affairs in Europe, as gamers’ and officers’ security stay Fiba’s major concern.”
A sport between the Netherlands and Russia was additionally cancelled. Fiba mentioned each can be rescheduled.
Russia and Belarus are being frozen out of worldwide sporting competitions within the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Satellite tv for pc shot of helicopters at V D Bolshoy Bokov airfield, Belarus, close to the border with Ukraine, on Friday
(Maxar/Reuters)
The Worldwide Olympic Committee mentioned sports activities associations ought to transfer or cancel any occasions deliberate in both of the international locations.
The Champions League closing in Could was attributable to be performed in St Petersburg however has been moved to Paris. The Russian Grand Prix has been cancelled.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
