After lengthy negotiations which once appeared full of promise, the IBA has failed to persuade the 17-year old Yugoslav star, Mijaljo Pescic, to play for Ireland in the European championship qualifying campaign in Switzerland from May 19th-23rd.

Pescic, who has reputedly signed a $1.3 million three-year contract with Sony Milano in Italy, holds an Irish passport through his Dublin mother; but he has apparently signalled his intention to switch his allegiance to the Yugoslav squad.

Pescic's decision though is likely to complicate his contractual arrangement with his club as he is signed for them as an Irish player under the Bosman ruling. Once he submits papers to transfer his allegiance to Yugoslavia he will no longer hold that status.

Ireland's cause in the European qualifiers could be weakened further if they fail to secure one of their best players, Pat Burke, for the tournament. He is scheduled to play for Panathanaikos in the Greek play-offs, which partly clash with the Group matches.

Under FIBA rules, his club should have released Burke for training with the Irish squad this week; but he responded that he was involved in the play-offs and would be unavailable for international duty.

If the IBA pressed FIBA to implement the rules, Burke will have to sit out the play-offs irrespective of whether or not he joins the Irish squad in time.

A similar situation had arisen with John Burke who plays for Esperos in Greece, but the IBA have indicated that they will not seek his release.