World Rowing suspends the Serbian Rowing Federation

Following the decision of the Olympic Committee of Serbia to suspend the Serbian Rowing Federation, confirmed via a letter sent to World Rowing on Monday, 27 May, World Rowing has decided to suspend the Serbian Rowing Federation effective Tuesday, 28 May and until further notice.

With the decision of their National Olympic Committee, the Serbian Rowing Federation is in breach of art.13.4 and articles 15.1 of the statutes of FISA / World Rowing:

Article 13.4. “To be governed by statutes that are consistent with the principles of the Olympic Charter, to be recognised as a member by the National Olympic Committee (NOC), and to have the Member Federation president and executive board elections validated and recognised by their NOC;”

Article 15.1. “If a Member Federation does not fully comply with its obligations, the Executive Committee may, after having given the member Federation a warning including a deadline to adjust its status and correct its deficiency, take any of the following measures: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and specifically 1.2 : Suspend the Member Federation from membership (totally or partially) for a fixed period or until a specified set of circumstances has changed or ceased to exist;”

As a consequence of this decision and until further notice, World Rowing shall only liaise with the Olympic Committee of Serbia regarding all issues connected to Rowing in Serbia, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Olympic Committee of Serbia will substitute itself to the Serbian Rowing Federation and manage the rowers and all Rowing matters in the country until resolution of the current situation. The rowers will be allowed to compete at the upcoming European and World Rowing events.

As a reminder, as per Art 15-3 of the FISA / World Rowing statutes, if a Member Federation does not fulfil the current conditions of membership of World Rowing and does not rectify the situation by a date fixed by the Executive Committee, or if there are other justifiable reasons, the FISA / World Rowing Congress may expel that federation.