The club noted that everyone is on equal terms due to the war and mobilization.
Director of the volleyball club “Reshetilovka” Sergey Kotmancommented on the actions of several team players who did not return to Ukraine after the Challenge Cup match in Belgium.
The club condemned the players' actions and emphasized that they are not dealing with issues with the TCC, since everyone is on equal terms due to the war and mobilization, and no profession exempts one from duty to one's state.
“Official comment of VK Reshetilovka regarding the players who voluntarily left the club and did not return to Ukraine.
After the 1/16 matches of the Challenge Cup, which took place in Belgium, two of our players left the club and did not return with the team to Ukraine. This information has already been disseminated by a number of all-Ukrainian media.
VK Reshetilovka officially reports that this was a personal decision of these players, which the club, all athletes and management categorically do not support or share.
“Our club operates within the law. Issues of military registration, border crossing and sports discipline of team representatives are under special control. The fact that Dmitry Shavrak and Andrey Orobko arbitrarily left the sports camp and refused to return to Ukraine because they were scared is their decision, for which they, we are convinced, should be held accountable. Orobko said that he was cold here. The whole country is so cold, the shelling is the reason for this – the war continues, I remind you. I will also note that we are not resolving the issue with the TCC, everyone is on equal terms.
VK Reshetilovka has long-term contracts with the guys. Therefore, if they want to represent any European club in violation of the contract, we and the Volleyball Federation will resolve this issue in the legal field.
We strongly condemn the actions of these athletes, no status or profession exempts one from responsibility to one's state. The entire team is currently continuing training at home, we will continue to represent Poltava region in the Super League,” Kotman said in a statement on the club's official Facebook page.
Recall that at least two Reshetilovka players did not return to Ukraine after the Challenge Cup match against Menen, which took place in Belgium. Andriy Orobko and Dmytro Shavrak decided to stay in Europe.
According to Sport.ua, another fugitive was Ruslan Osipenko, and Nikolay Kuranov was detained by the TCC at the border.
Earlier it was reported that the Volleyball Federation of Ukraine commented on the failure to return Reshetilovka players from abroad.