Zenit's non-Russian players and staff are free to return to their home countries / News - Basketnews.com

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Zenit Saint Petersburg's non-domestic players and staff are free to leave and return to their home countries.According to SDNA info that BasketNews can confirm, Zenit are letting their non-Russian players and staff go, without any consequences and without having their contract dissolved.

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After some of the players expressed great concern about what is happening in Ukraine, the club realized that the best solution would be not to stand in their way in case they wanted to return to their home countries.As already reported, Shabazz Napier was the first one to leave Zenit.

Then, Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas followed - and possibly big man Arturas Gudaitis also. Thus, the new decision mainly concerns the other non-Russian players: Tyson Carter, Jordan Loyd, Billy Barron, Conner Frankamp, Alex Poythress, Mateusz Ponitka, Jordan Mickey.

Of course, the same applies to staff, but also to the management. GM Manos Papadopoulos, head coach Xavi Pascual, as well as assistant coaches Inigo Zorzano and Diamantis Panagiotopoulos can also leave the country.

It should be noted that all the contracts of players and staff are still valid, although it's unclear whether Russian teams - and Zenit, in particular- will play any more games this season.This development leaves the squad with Russian players only and creates an additional problem for the team ahead of the next games. Today (15:00 CET), the EuroLeague licensed clubs will hold a meeting where the future of the current campaign and of Russian teams in the competition will be largely decided.A few hours ago there was an update from CSKA about the departure of Tornike Shengelia, Marius Grigonis, Iffe Lundberg, Johannes Voigtman and Joel Bolomboy, while UNICS are releasing Jarrell Brantley.

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