By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona officially updated the status of Thomas Heurtel after the player was left by the team in Istanbul following the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 16 game versus Anadolu Efes.
Heurtel was on the verge of being released by the club, however, when Barcelona learned that it was possible for him to sign with Real Madrid, while it was expected for him to end up with Fenerbahce, everything changed.
In the unprecedented story stretching from Tuesday evening, the EuroLeague Players Association and many players individually have supported Heurtel. He has since been on his way back to Spain and at Lyon even bumped into CSKA Moscow preparing to return to Russia after the away game opposite LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne.
Per the Barcelona press release:
1. On Sunday, the day the team faced Joventut de Badalona, with the club and the player deciding that he should not play the match to avoid a possible injury, in the face of an imminent mutual contract termination agreement.
2. On Monday, the club allowed the player, who was not called up for the match against Anadolu Efes, to travel with the team to Istanbul to solve his professional future, as he and his representative requested.
3. On Tuesday, the player asked the club for permission to work parallel to the team during this trip and to be able to resolve his professional future.
4. On Tuesday at noon, the club and the player’s agent break off negotiations and agree to continue talking. Given the situation generated by this breakdown of negotiations, and not being under the discipline of the team in this match, it was decided that the player wouldn’t return with the group. The player was not neglected in any case and was given all the facilities – hotel for the night, regular flight ticket and all the relevant documentation – to be able to travel and return to Barcelona the next day.
5. Finally, the club would like to announce that Thomas Heurtel still currently belongs to FC Barcelona, whilst waiting to be able to solve his future in the coming days.
The two sides will eventually resolve the matter in court. Heurtel intends to take legal action against the club.