THE Shane Larkin and Scotty Wilbekin were penalized by the removal of the possibility to compete as natives of Turkey, after their absence from the national team’s obligations in the qualifiers for the Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Anatolou Efes, in a statement, expresses its displeasure with the decision, stressing that the American guard was indeed injured, while adding that she has never refused her players to offer their services to the representative group. After the dismissal and appeal of the Turkish champion, Shane Larkin will compete permanently as a foreigner.
The announcement states:
“Our athlete, Shane Larkin, attended the training camp on the requested date, informed the authorities of his injury and underwent the health checks requested by the National team doctors. From the health checks, he was unable to take part in the matches of our National Team due to bone swelling detected in his knee. Although our athlete reported the results of the MRI and the doctor’s reports about the condition of his knee to the relevant media in a timely and accurate manner, he was punished with a very heavy penalty by the Turkish Basketball Federation.
The punishment received by our athlete deeply affected both him and our Association. Our season scheduling, team balance and team budget structure have taken a heavy, irreparable blow due to this penalty. Our club, which has produced and awarded countless players for Turkish basketball, provides players to the National Teams in every age group every year and is one of the teams that proudly sent the most athletes to our National Team for many years, but was also the group that suffered the most in this process.
Following this process, we regret to learn that the Sports Arbitration Council, which assessed the matter as a result of our Club’s appeal, approved the penalty given to our athlete. Nevertheless, as Anatolou Efes, we will continue to support the steps and plans that will lead our National Team to the top in all future tournaments and events. We leave it to the public to assess this punishment, which we believe our club and athlete do not deserve in any way».
Source: Sport Fm
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