By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Zenit Saint Petersburg reacted to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulting in war with a statement signed by team CEO Aleksandr Tserkovny.
Per the press release: “Basketball should be out of politics. This is a fundamental axiom and must be the basis of any tournament and any competition. In spite of all the differences in political views and preferences, European clubs are united by the idea and vision of developing basketball across borders, regardless of the political situation. We respect the views of each of the Clubs that are participating in the EuroLeague and in the spirit of Voltaire, we are ready to fight for these views to be heard.
Our Club has players, coaches, and specialists from Spain, Greece, Lithuania, the USA, Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, Belarus, and Russia. We are united by one big common cause – BASKETBALL.
All of us together, our families and loves ones are going through the current situation and we want to go further towards our common goals and purpose, to compete on the floor with the rest of the EuroLeague clubs honestly and nobly.
This is our life and our passion, WE ALL WANT TO PLAY!
The previous draw showed that the EuroLeague managed to save and give a new impetus to the development of the tournament during one of the most difficult periods in its history.
We hope for an honorable and non-partisan decision of the meeting of the EuroLeague clubs, which will allow the season to continue fully. All three Russian clubs have earned the right with their performance this season. We are confident that BC Zenit, CSKA, and UNICS are ready to continue to prove this exclusively on the basketball court. Politics is about dividing peoples, sport is about bringing different peoples together in the name of common understanding.
Please do not take the short road of politics to division and resentment, but take the longer-term path that creates the grounds for understanding and peace that is fostered in the very ethos of sport in name and spirit!!”
The 18 EuroLeague teams are set to meet today, Friday.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net