Shengelia has left Moscow, not the team, sources say / News - Basketnews.com

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Tornike Shengelia is leaving Moscow for family reasons at this moment but he is not terminating a contract with CSKA Moscow yet, according to BasketNews sources.

Tornike Shengelia

MIN:24.82PTS:12.73 (53.3%)REB:4.67As:2.47ST:0.93BL:0.27TO:2GM:15ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

The Georgian media outlet Commersant.ge broke the news about Shengelia's departure, presenting the following quote.

"I take on this decision as a sign of protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and I do not consider to continue playing for the Russian Army club."

However, via BasketNews sources and Nikos Varlas, who works for the agency that represents Shengelia, the quote was fabricated.

"Toko Shengelia has not made any statement to any media outlet. He is focused right now on the well-being of his family. When a decision is made regarding his future he will talk first and foremost with CSKA Moscow," Varlas wrote on his Twitter account.

"Tornike Shengelia has not made any statement to any journalist/media outlet anywhere, including his home country.

He is currently outside Moscow dealing with a family emergency, with CSKA being aware of the situation. Any communication from his part will be done first to his club," the agency repeated in a tweet.

The Georgian national team captain signed a three-year deal with CSKA in 2020, after playing for six years with Baskonia.

The signing was sharply criticized by the president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, who described this step as "regrettable and unacceptable".

The 30-year-old averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 14.1 PIR over 15 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season.

On Friday, Shengelia updated his Facebook page and showed support for Ukraine.

"Praying for Ukraine! Stay strong," he wrote.

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