MADRID, 2 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The player of the French basketball team Thomas Heurtel acknowledged on Tuesday that he has signed an oath in which he assures that he will not be hired by any Russian club, a requirement imposed by the French Federation to be able to play the Eurobasket this summer (September 1-18 ), after the war that Russia has had with Ukraine for five months.
The former Real Madrid and Barça base, who had a pre-agreement with Zenit Saint Petersburg, explained that his agents are “in contact with various clubs”, but did not specify which Euroleague teams had been interested in his services. “We will see what happens in the future,” Heurtel said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Asked if he signed the affidavit requested by the French Federation, he replied: “Yes, and you know it.” “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” In addition, Heurtel did not want to give his opinion on this oath that separates him from Zenit for the moment. “I signed it, period,” added the 33-year-old ‘playmaker’.
In any case, Heurtel has not ruled out a possible move to Russia in the near future or even when the Eurobasket is over. “That’s not what I said,” he pointed out. “I said we will see in due time what I will do next season,” the experienced player added.
In order to avoid problems caused by the Russian invasion, the French Federation will not summon any player who plays for Russian teams -both for the Eurobasket and for the 2024 Olympic Games- which will be held precisely in Paris.