By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the message posted by Nikola Mirotic, Partizan Mozzart Bet reacted by revealing additional details on a projected deal for a three-year contract. The Belgrade outfit asked the player to name those threatening him and eventually forced him to decide against playing for Partizan or any other team based in Serbia.
“For reasons not known to the club, Nikola Mirotic decided to not sign a contract on the agreed conditions. Following a significant wait, Partizan Mozzart Bet is forced to give up on acquiring the former Barcelona player,” stresses the press release.
“The club publicly asks Nikola Mirotic, a person committed to fighting for the truth, to say which people threatened him,” added Partizan.
Partizan ‘firmly believes that the reasons for not signing the contract have nothing to do with threats but other situations to become known over the next few days’. It clearly implies that he did not sign the contract to get the entire sum of 22 million euros owed by Barcelona in court.
The story by Partizan
Mirotic, 32, previously explained his decision with a lengthy and emotional message on his personal Instagram account. Regarding the threats, he made clear that there is no connection to Partizan’s archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet.
Taking it from the top in the official reaction later Saturday, Partizan noted ‘interest dating back to June, when it was reported that Mirotic would terminate his contract with Barcelona,’ and added that team president Ostoja Mijailovic, sports director Zoran Savic, and head coach Zeljko Obradovic held preliminary talks with the player without jeopardizing the process toward the termination of his contract with Barca.
With official talks launching after the conclusion of negotiations with Barcelona, the experienced forward traveled to Belgrade to finalize the deal and then received a three-year contract to sign, per the official announcement of Partizan.
On the threats, Partizan confirmed people indeed approaching Mirotic and ‘fears for his safety’ if he would complete the move. In response, Mijailovic, Savic, and Obradovic all presented guarantees for his well-being on numerous occasions underlining ‘no cause for concern’ and being ‘more than welcome in Serbia’ extending efforts to finally clinch the huge addition to the team. The team also cited written evidence supporting the above.
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