By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
ELPA, EuroLeague Players Association, requested the cancellation of the remaining 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games through a letter sent to teams, reports Serbian outlet Nova.rs.
Following Saturday’s meeting between players and Euroleague Basketball, ELPA issued the letter asking to cancel the season. A total of 36 players, the captain and one senior member of each squad, attended the teleconference with the vast majority not wanting the season to resume.
ELPA, aware that the Union is not a shareholder, notified the licensed clubs of the restrictions and risks that would arise if action resumes.
FC Barcelona, KIROLBET Baskonia, Real Madrid, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos OPAP, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahce Beko, AX Armani Exchange Milan, Zalgiris Kaunas, and CSKA Moscow are set to vote on Monday deciding whether to restart the 2019-20 season.
Among the notes displayed by EuroLeague Players Association are the travel issues. According to ELPA, about 70 EuroLeague players are still in the USA. Those players would face difficulties returning to Europe, would put themselves and their families in danger as well.
Apart from the US-based players, many players moved to countries that are still under strict quarantine restrictions leading them to limited practicing options, therefore not ready to get back on the court without an increased risk of injuries.
In addition, ELPA warns that it is not presently possible to fully guarantee safety for players, coaches, officials and everyone else to be involved in the remaining matches, as the coronavirus pandemic is not over in Europe.
ELPA estimates that many players will not be willing to return under these conditions and adds that players missing would damage the competition.
The 2019-20 season was suspended on March 12.