By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Heurtel, sidelined from the French team since September 2022 due to sanctions imposed by the French Federation (FFBB), will not be part of the Paris Olympic Games, L’Equipe reports.
The FFBB penalized Heurtel for signing with Zenit Saint Petersburg, breaching a charter that barred French players from joining Russian clubs amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Although Heurtel’s skills as a playmaker were acknowledged, his career choice and public comments on the Skweek Show hosted by Tony Parker in February led to his exclusion from the Olympic roster.
“My oath in that letter was fraudulent. That’s why it was important to tear it up. Everyone knew that,” Heurtel said a couple of months ago.
Despite speculation and a brief reopening of discussions by FFBB President Jean-Pierre Siutat in October, the federation has maintained its stance after the point guard’s mentioned comments.