By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
For a long time now, the premise that sport should be separate from politics and not be impacted by it or make political stands, it has been present and strong in some cases.
However, there are those who don’t believe in such ‘fairy tales’ or who recognize when sports actually have to impact society in that way.
Olimpia Milano coach Ettore Messina is of such mindset when it comes to the recent Euroleague decisions regarding the Russian teams amidst the war in Ukraine.
“There is no such thing as sport pretending to be a world unto itself. I am convinced that it was important that the international federations have established a mechanism by which they suspended the Russian teams,” Messina told Sky Sport.
“I disagree with those who say that sport must stay out of politics because anything we do in life is political, any position we take is political.”
With that in mind, Messina also commented on Euroleague’s decision and said that it had to take a clearer stance and not think only about the competition itself.
“I would have liked more clarity from the EuroLeague. Let’s suspend everything until March 21, and then let’s see… This is something that helps the competition, but it is not a stance against what is happening.”
Messina also made a point about the Russian teams themselves letting the members leave.
“Furthermore, we are in a situation in which the Russian teams themselves, see CSKA, have already begun to free players. So it seems to me a demonstration that they are the first not to believe they can finish the season. Having said that, it is obvious that I am sorry that, because of what is happening, because of a senseless conflict, there have been players, coaches and clubs who are out of a competition as beautiful as the Euroleague.”