Deprived of the French team since September 2022 – sanctioned by the French Federation (FFBB) at the end of the Euro because he had signed with Saint Petersburg after having initialed a charter in which the players of the French team were committed not to play in a Russian club as long as the war in Ukraine continues – Thomas Heurtel (1.89 m, 35 years old) will not see the Paris Olympic Games.
If his usefulness in the position of playmaker, a major issue in the list of twelve who will compete in the Olympics, has never been contested, his choice of career, as well as his appearance at the beginning of February at the microphone of the Skweek Show hosted by Tony Parker, definitely put him out of the Games.
The FFBB has not reviewed its position
In October, the president of the FFBB, Jean-Pierre Siutat, reopened the door two months after the World Cup missed by the Blues. It closed abruptly when the 2013 European champion player, bronze medalist at the 2014 World Cup, silver at the 2021 Olympics and Euro 2022, launched: “Of course they (the FFBB) knew. Of course the charter was bogus. That’s why it has to be torn up. Everyone knew (that he was going to sign in Russia). »
Claims immediately denied by the selection staff. Contacted two weeks ago after the return to the French ice hockey team of Stéphane Da Costa (suspended for two years because he plays in a Russian club), which seemed to reopen a breach, the FFBB indicated that it had not planned to see again his position.
