IBAF threatens to revoke sanctioning of WBC if no Cuba

[cire4]

NEW YORK -- Baseball's world governing body threatened to withdraw its sanctioning of the World Baseball Classic unless the U.S. government allows Cuba to compete.

A letter was faxed from International Baseball Federation president Aldo Notari informing Major League Baseball of the IBAF's decision, said Rich Levin, a spokesman for the MLB commissioner's office, on Friday.

It is unclear whether the 16-team tournament, scheduled for March 3-20, would go forward without the IBAF's sanction. The tournament is being jointly administered by MLB and the MLB Players Association.

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9149263

Glad somebody is putting their foot down in regards to this blatant injection of politics into sports.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Bush should butt out of Cuban baseball. Their teams are tremendous

and have even played in the States, in Baltimore.



It's Cuba's most beloved sport. They're wild about it. They love American teams, also.

[Gman]

2. All this just for a relatively small group of voters

in South Florida. The Cubans in South Florida carry more clout for such a small group than anything I've ever seen. It's all about the South Florida vote.

[Mika]

3. Its all about campaign contributions.

Unfortunately, for both parties. (Cuba sanctioning politics is a bi partisan political cash cow.)


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