The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has fined the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBA), 3,200 Swiss Francs for restricting a performance of cheerleaders during a match in the World Basketball Championship.

The Red Foxes, a Ukrainian dance group, were not allowed to perform in the match played between Turkey and Russia in Ankara on 29^th August during 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship.

Red Foxes cheerleaders were entertaining the viewers repeatedly in timeouts and in the breaks at the Ankara Areana, but because of the presence of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, there show was concelled.

FIBA tried to contact TBF for their response over the disappearance of the cheerleaders from the game but they were unavailable for any comment.

FIBA Secretary-General Patrick Baumann said,“It is a balance between respecting the culture and making sure basketball delivers all the pace, excitement and entertainment that goes with the World Championship,”. “If it needs a little bit of adjustment, that is fine with us.” TBF officials, however, denied claims there were political issues behind the cheerleaders’ no-show in Ankara.