Andrei Vatutin on Kurbanov: We will make a balanced decision

Andrei Vatutin on Kurbanov: We will make a balanced decision

CSKA published an official comment from club president Andrei Vatutin on the situation with Nikita Kurbanov

CSKA published an official comment from club president Andrei Vatutin on the situation with Nikita Kurbanov. Here is the full text:

CSKA has always been and will always be an opponent of the use of banned substances, condemning any kind of use. For any purpose. To anyone who may be interested. We gave RUSADA full cooperation in the investigation. Until we received the final verdict, we were not allowed to comment on the situation and discuss possible actions by the club. Today, like everyone else, we have seen the official document and we need time to discuss the situation within the club, with the sponsors and founders, and then make a balanced decision on Nikita Kurbanov’s future at CSKA.

Nikita is our comrade. It is not easy for him right now. He made a mistake, he let down the club, teammates and fans, he is a lesson for all basketball players and athletes in general, we condemn him and he received the punishment he deserved for what he did. But I would like to stress that Nikita has been and remains a model of attitude throughout his impressive career. His CSKA teammates over the years, including Euroleague and Russian national team stars, have always praised his work ethic, his professionalism, his willingness to do whatever it takes to win, his ability to sacrifice personal ambitions for the success of the team and his excellent communication skills. Every CSKA coach has been thrilled to work with Kurbanov. Nikita is a man you can count on in the most difficult moments. He is our legend.

I have no doubt that what happened will be an additional motivation for Nikita to improve and fix his reputation. On or off the field, at this point it does not matter. I am sure that eventually his name will again be associated with a professional attitude and great successes,’ said Vatutin.

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