Ivan Tsenov: When such a name comes we can’t set ultimatums

12-03-2008 14:56 | gong.bg

Ivan Tsenov said for gong.bg that until now in the Bulgarian Basketball Federation hasn’t been received an official document from Lukoil Academic, stating that they won’t let their players play for the national team if Titi Papazov is Gershon’s assistant. Mr. Tsenov also added that even if they receive such a document, the federation stands by Pini Gershon and supports his decision.

“When such a person comes to work for the team, we don’t have the right to set him any ultimatums. At the moment we have only two choices. Either Gershon will coach the team with Papazov and Minchev as his assistants, or he won’t coach it at all”, said the General Secretary of the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, regarding last night’s scandal.

“I heard in the media, that Valentin Zlatev made such a statement and I’m worried. I think that we have always worked well not only with Academic, but with all the other clubs as well. When it comes to the national team, there shouldn’t be any personal feelings. Maybe Mr. Zlatev’s statement is rather emotional than seriously meant. I don’t consider it to be an ultimatum to the federation. For me it is more an appeal to Titi Papazov to refuse Gershon’s invitation. I’m optimistic that we’ll find a way out of this situation. As a general secretary my job is to make sure that all the normative documents and regulations are being followed. The penalties are pretty serious. We haven’t spoken to Gershon yet, because we think it was too much for him to be involved in all kinds of speculations and rumours during his stay here. I’m very disappointed that this has nothing to do with basketball and is more a personal conflict between Zlatev and Papazov. I hope everything will be all right at the end” – commented Tsenov .

“Gershon is a man with great self-confidence and knowledge and he doesn’t let anyone interfere in his work. He makes the decisions and that’s it. If anyone refuses to play for the national team, not only from Lukoil’s side, because tomorrow someone else may decide that he doesn’t like Lubo Minchev, the penalties are very serious. ULEB and FIBA are very strict in that matter. For a club that refuses to let its players play for the national team there are fines from 30 to 80 thousand euros and the players could be banned from participation in the European club competitions. Nothing depends on us anymore. After all that Pini Gershon may decide to call us tomorrow and refuse coaching the team. I hope there will be a good ending in the name of basketball” – finished Tsenov.

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