EuroLeague Players Association released a statement to address the incident between FC Barcelona and Thomas Heurtel.
ELPA called out FC Barcelona for the way they treated Heurtel after the game against Anadolu Efes. The Catalans did not let the French guard board the plane and return to Spain with the team.
“EuroLeague Players Association was shocked upon hearing the news from Istanbul, where after the game vs Anadolu Efes, FC Barcelona left Thomas Heurtel, its own player, without the possibility to return to his home city with the rest of the team.
ELPA has been in contact with Thomas and his representatives last night and today, offering him support in the process of coming back to Barcelona and taking any possible further steps.
In addition, ELPA has informed EuroLeague Basketball about the details surrounding the incident. While contract disputes remain a complicated matter, no player should ever find himself in such a situation, let alone in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people’s health and safety should be everyone’s priority.
ELPA remains in contact with Thomas and is already assisting in obtaining necessary information in order to help EuroLeague Basketball and its disciplinary bodies bring closure not only for Thomas, but to also ensure such future situations are eradicated,” ELPA said in a statement.
Heurtel is expected to take legal action against FC Barcelona.
