Maccabi Tel Aviv veteran Omri Casspi talked about the re-start of the season in Israel, quarantine and Covid tests: (translation by sportsrabbi)<\/p>\n
I will begin as I did in our private meeting with the League and the Health Ministry \u2013 it\u2019s important to speak properly to one another because at the end of the day we all love, enjoy and make a living from our profession.<\/em><\/p>\n I am speaking to you from my place as Israel National Team Captain, Maccabi Tel Aviv that my opinion and the opinion of some of the players will be taken in a serious manner just as we respect the league and our profession.<\/em><\/p>\n I have spoken in various forums as to how important it is to return for many different reasons. It\u2019s important to separate returning to business with masks and social distancing etc\u2026 than returning athletes who take part on sports with contact on a daily basis.<\/em><\/p>\n The players are here to play basketball. We understand the situation and are prepared to do whatever it takes for the game we all love, the fans and country that needs it.<\/em><\/p>\n There are two acute issues that I believe are important to find a solution to in order for us to return to play in the safest manner under the circumstances with the risk that is involved:<\/em><\/p>\n 1) To end the quarantine for the league\u2019s players for the upcoming two months \u2013 This exaggerated request by the league administration that players have to be in complete quarantine without the ability to go out and buy necessities, medication from the pharmacy or to walk their dog just outside of their home (This is a harsher than the country\u2019s quarantine when the virus was spreading at its peak) is inhumane on every level. In addition, the professional and medical staff that are with the team aren\u2019t required to hold by the same quarantine regulations that we are as mentioned above, even though they are with the players day in and day out. Athletes are under extreme pressure and duress and to expect them to be in full quarantine, especially today when mental health is at the forefront of society, this is a scandalous demand.<\/em><\/p>\n 2) The responsibility of the league to perform regular tests for all of the players and staff on a weekly basis \u2013 is an accepted practice in today\u2019s sports world. The demand to go through two full months without tests is absurd, this not only places the players at risk but also their families and those who are close to them.<\/em><\/p>\n * I\u2019ve heard the claim (That I hope is incorrect) that the teams have said should a player feel that the conditions are unsuitable, he can leave and that they will bring another player in his place \u2013 this reminds me of a dark regime and I hope that we will not have to go to those places.<\/em><\/p>\n I don\u2019t know what the league or what the players will decide during the upcoming week, but there is a serious concern for the players and the families who are at extreme risk. I hope that the league would treat this with serious consideration so that everyone would feel comfortable with returning to the courts very soon.<\/em><\/p>\n Shabbat Shalom,<\/em> \u05ea\u05d2\u05d5\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e8\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc- @WinnerLeague<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LqTyIelXfm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Omri Casspi (@Casspi18) June 5, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nOmri<\/em><\/p>\n\n