The FFBB reacts to the signing of Thomas Heurtel in Russia

Following the formalization of the signature of Thomas Heurtel at the Zénith Saint-Petersburg, when he had signed a certificate in which he undertook not to join a Russian or Belarusian club, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) reacted in a press release sent to the media and only accessible otherwise by a link. The FFBB claims not to have been ” informed that a contract had been signed or was in the process of being signed with a Russian club “and confirms that in the event of a match played with the Zénith, ” the playmaker would then no longer meet the selection criteria for the next international events, including the 2024 Olympic Games“. What to remove him definitively from the national selection since in 2024 the Agathois will be 34 years old.

The French Federation of BasketBall (FFBB) learned via Twitter that the Zenith Saint Petersburg club in Russia had announced the signing of Thomas HEURTEL, for a one-year contract with an optional additional year.

Although the FFBB was informed that Thomas HEURTEL had contacts with foreign clubs, including Russian ones, at no time was it informed that a contract had been signed or was in the process of being signed with a Russian club.

The player had signed the sworn statement at the start of the French team gathering at the end of July, indicating that he was not engaged and that he was not planning to sign with a Russian club or Belarusian.

If Thomas HEURTEL were to play with the Zénith club, this commitment would not be respected, the playmaker would then no longer respect the selection criteria for the next international deadlines, including the 2024 Olympic Games, in accordance with the decision taken by Federal Office on July 28.

???? The FFBB reacts to the situation of Thomas Heurtel. more info by clicking on this link: https://t.co/j9OCQtMJ4Z pic.twitter.com/06Ao1wvMTB

— FFBB (@ffbasketball) September 22, 2022