By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Heurtel and David Carro Funes, the player’s agent, held a press conference this afternoon in which they explained one of the most bizarre and regrettable situations that European basketball has experienced in recent years.
Barça was more than interested in the French point guard’s return and had already reached a deal with him, with the approval of coach Joan Peñarroya, but Heurtel will not end up playing for the team.
The Blaugrana team has left him “stranded” even though the player (and his family) are already in Barcelona, arriving from China on Thursday morning.
It’s an unprecedented situation, even if in the past Barcelona had left Heurtel alone in the Istanbul airport during the COVID pandemic when he was negotiating in secret with Real Madrid, and Thomas Heurtel feels that Barça has disrespected him more than ever this time: “The first time was in Istanbul, there was a lot of talk about that situation, many things that were said were false. This time it’s worse because I am here with my family, I moved my children and my wife with me. It is a huge lack of respect.”
Everything seems to indicate that the deal broke down after a decision from the club’s highest echelons, as the entire Barça basketball sports management was very happy with his arrival.
Heurtel explained: “I had conversations with the team, and Joan Peñarroya was very happy. He told me what he expected from me and asked me things. We talked for about 15 or 20 minutes; both parties were very excited. He was very happy and told me to get to Barcelona as soon as possible. Navarro sent me a message telling me that he was very happy. Joan has apologized to me and told me that the decision was not his.”
Both the player and his agent have made it clear on more than one occasion that the situation has come about because of the Barça board, exonerating Juan Carlos Navarro and GM Mario Bruno Fernández.
“When I was eating with my family,” explained David Carro, “Barcelona called me to tell me that the deal can’t be done. (Basketball director Josep) Cubells called me to tell me this, but there was no explanation for it. They told us today that it can’t be done because of the fans’ repercussions.”
Foto: Mundo Deportivo