Mateusz Ponitka opens up about his insulting parents and conflict with brother Marcel / News - Basketnews.com

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Polish national team forward Mateusz Ponitka commented on the recent words of his brother, Marcel, who claimed that he didn't make the national team due to Mateusz's wishes.

Mateusz Ponitka

Position:SFAge:28Height:197 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:Ostrow, PolandProfileNewsStatistics

In an interview with Przeglad Sportowy Onet, Mateusz Ponitka gave some spicy details on a feud between him and his family.

"I am eager to tell about the conflict not only with me but with the whole family, in which Marcel and his parents constantly make victims of each other.

I went with my own life at the age of 19. Since then, my wife and I were constantly insulted by my parents, and later Marcel joined them," said Mateusz Ponitka.

It's the first time the captain of the Polish national team decided to openly talk about the case in his family.

His younger brother Marcel recently told TVP Sport he thinks that he did not make the EuroBasket 2022 preliminary roster because Mateusz did not want it to happen.

"I was silent about it for too long and never spoke about Marcel. People adore Marcel, but no one knows the truth that needs to be told now," stressed Mateusz.

He then revealed that he was forced to choose between family and his girlfriend, who's his wife now.

"I received an ultimatum from my parents: either them or my wife. I chose love and a person who cares for me every day for the last 10 years. And then began their revenge on everyone around us.

My parents are in conflict with the whole family except for one uncle who lives in the countryside and is not fully aware of what happened because he knows the stories from one side.

The conflict in the family grew over the years. There were very unpleasant situations and provocations. When I was playing in Zielona Gora, my wife and I were called in front of fans. My parents are notorious for writing offensive comments about us on the internet. I have texts that were vulgar and offensive to us.

I warned Marcel that the parents would do anything to isolate me because I didn't do what they wanted. Unfortunately, Marcel chose a different path. And yet, when he needed my help, including financial one, I never refused him," Mateusz shared personal details about his life.

He claims that now, after Marcel's interview for TVP Sport, he cannot imagine playing with his brother in one team.

"At this point, there is no way to end the conflict and I can't imagine playing with him on the same team. If the coach decides that Marcel will be more useful to the team, I will gladly give my place on the national squad."

Mateusz also admitted he does not keep in touch with his other brother Kacper as well.

"I have no relationship with my other brother because my parents have been making contact with him difficult for many years. I have tried to meet Kacper many times. I suggested that he come to me for a few days, but each time it was blocked by my parents. Anyway, it was the same with my grandfather once.

When I was younger, I was still living with my parents and I wanted to visit my grandfather but my father turned me against him, insulting him many times in front of me. Grandpa helped build the house where my parents live and in the 20 years of their residency, he was never invited by them even for a stupid dinner," Mateusz Ponitka opened up.

Last but not least, he touched on his character. Previously, Mateusz had a conflict with Polish basketball great Marcin Gortat and now with his younger brother.

"First of all, I didn't want to discuss these matters in public with them, but both Gortat and Marcel started to do it themselves, so I just decided to answer. Gortat just found a great opportunity to provoke me once again and joined my eternally unhappy brother.

Every club Marcel left in the shadow of scandal or conflict. Nobody mentioned it, but he came back from Russia only five days before me as the last foreigner from his team. My friend, who played with him, confirmed that he had been sitting there for so long because he wanted all his money.

In my case, I was a traitor of the country and I was called a murderer, although I gave up much more money than he did," Mateusz Ponitka concluded.

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