By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Russia’s Andrey Vorontsevich talked to the press after his squad’s win over Nigeria in their first 2019 FIBA World Cup game and made some comments about not liking how the referees did the job. However, the player explained that he was simply making joke which was later on taken out of context:
“They asked me a question about the refereeing, and, not wanting to complain about anyone or even speak negatively, I made an unfortunate joke, which was then taken out of context. Of course, we were not going to complain about the referees. The first game of the World Cup, everyone is excited but also nervous. The main message of my answer was not in criticism, but in the fact that all people can be mistaken. Naturally, the journalists wanted to translate this into a sensation – otherwise, why would anyone ask a question about refereeing? Watch the recording in full. I said that I believe in judges and have no doubt that the tournament will be held in the right way”, he said, per Russian Basketball Federation.
Coach Sergey Bazarevich also took it upon himself to clarify the situation: “Yesterday, in euphoria, we talked too much about referees and rivals. Including me, dissatisfied with the words of Andrey, inappropriately commented on the situation. This was wrong. From now on, we will be much more careful about the words that we speak publicly.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL