(ATR) The IOC will consider what to do about the rift between the Mexican Olympic Committee and government ministries at the next Executive Board meeting.
The EB will meet on Dec. 8-10 in Lausanne,
In Mexico, the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE) has sought scrutiny over finances of national sport federations. There are reports that CONADEhas attempted to remove leaders of some national federations.
A spokesperson for the IOC says it is"well aware of the situation," and it will be a topic for discussion at the EB meeting. IOC member and delegate for NOC autonomy Patrick Hickey would not comment on the specifics of the case.
CONADE head Alfredo Castillo has said the efforts are part of a larger effort to remove corruption in sports in the country.
"We can’t allow for federation executives to enrich themselves with government funding destined for national sports." Castillo is quoted in the Mexican press.
Representatives from the Mexican Olympic Committee told ATR they would not be commenting on the matter at this moment, choosing to focus on finding a solution to the ongoing rift.
If the IOC rules that autonomy in the country is breached, the MOC could face a similar punishment that the Kuwait Olympic Committee received last month. A suspension from the IOC could mean Mexican athletes could be barred from competing at the 2016 Olympics under their own flag.
The fallout from the current standoff has reached the Mexican Basketball Federation (ADEMEBA), which was suspended by the International Basketball Federation on Nov. 27, after CONADE would not recognize ADEMEBA as the national federation within Mexico.
Mexico is currently in the middle of qualification for the Rio 2016 Games, needing to win one of the three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments that FIBA will host on July 5-11.
A FIBA spokesperson confirmed to ATR that while ADEMEBA remains suspended, Mexico cannot participate in any FIBA events, putting Rio 2016 qualification at risk.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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