Tiktukno: summary of today's events in sports, 24.3 (Sport1)
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when Toma Hertel chose to sign in the summer with Zenit St.
Petersburg, when Russia is still at war with Ukraine.
The questionable decision led to the end of his career in the French national team, but in an interview he gave this evening (Friday) to Lakip, he defended his choices.
"According to this logic, it is forbidden to play in Israel, it is forbidden to play in China, and the rules should be valid for everyone, not just me," he said.
"How does the war have anything to do with me? It doesn't mean I support what Russia is doing. Do players who play in China agree with the access to civil rights in the country? Do those who play in France agree with the government? It's all the same... People who talk are hypocrites. They don't see the The situation is like mine and they don't earn like me."
He is tired of being silent.
Hertel (Photo: GettyImages, Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto)
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The veteran French coordinator added: "At Zenit they promised me that at the first moment there was any fear of a disaster, all the players would board a flight to Istanbul or Dubai. I earn here 2 or 3 times what I would earn in any other team in Europe. If next season I receive an offer from an intriguing project with a salary Same, I'll leave. Right now I'm doing my job."
In the summer, Hertel had to sign a document stating that he would not sign with a Russian team, in order to take part in EuroBasket.
He signed - and then violated that document.
"I wasn't 100 percent sure about my future when I signed," he insisted.
"I waited for other offers. This was the best decision for me and my family."
sport
basketball
Euroleague and European basketball
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Toma Hertel
French basketball team