By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a move more than likely to prompt discussions and even reactions from players and league organizations, FC Barcelona did not permit Thomas Heurtel to board the plane and follow his team back to Spain following the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 16 game against Anadolu Efes in Istanbul, Turkey.
CSKA Moscow’s Mike James commenting on the Eurohoops post breaking the news Tuesday night wrote: “This is a really bad message. Don’t know all the details but this as a headline doesn’t sound very player-friendly.”
This is a really bad message. Don’t know all the details but this as a headline doesn’t sound very player friendly https://t.co/BIFJ3mWxTw
— Mike James (@TheNatural_05) December 22, 2020
“I really wonder how they didn’t let him on the plane. I’ve always looked at Barca as one of the gold standards of EuroLeague but if this is what it seems/sounds like that’s a shame for real,” he went on, “We don’t want you at this club and we want you to leave but you can’t only go to a place we say. This isn’t a dictatorship. You don’t want me, let me go and I’ll decide what’s best for my family.”
Retired Kevin Seraphin, former Barca center, replied to James noting: “Well. Change your way of seeing them. I’m not surprised by this.” He also mentioned: “The fans are amazing but the front office is a bunch of followers. I will offer them a brain for Christmas.”
Well. Change your way of seeing them…
Im not surprised by this…
??♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️ https://t.co/vpWgcudpN1— kevin seraphin (@french_savage) December 22, 2020
Orlando Magic’s Evan Fournier also retweeted the Eurohoops original report.
Sorry ass organization https://t.co/xziW5qYL0C
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) December 22, 2020
Jordan Loyd of Crvena Zvezda mts added his input.
Unreal https://t.co/1tCVuBK3aW
— Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) December 23, 2020
Tyrese Rice, a member of the 2016-17 Barca squad, also touched the subject: “Didn’t let him board the plane? You telling him that he can’t go home? The man got family and everything. Wow. I hope he does go to Real if that’s an option. Cuz Lord knows if I had the chance, I would have went,” he wrote early morning Wednesday.
Didn’t let him board the plane? You telling him that he can’t go home? Man got family and everything. Wow. I hope he does go to Real if that’s an option. Cuz Lord knows if I had the chance, I would have went.
— Rese (@ReseRice4) December 23, 2020
ABP, the Spanish Association of Professional Basketball Players made out the first official reaction making its intention clear to help Heurtel in any way.
First official reaction on the Heurtel case https://t.co/QbyRcgq2nI https://t.co/YgtodMKrgC
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 22, 2020
The unprecedented handling of the situation by the Spanish powerhouse, especially considering players traveling all around Europe through the coronavirus restrictions, will certainly provoke more reactions and further developments.