French Basketball Player Calls for Joel Embiid Ban from Olympics
The anticipation surrounding the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament has taken an unexpected turn as former French basketball player, Frederic Weis, voices strong opposition to Joel Embiid’s participation. Weis, famously known for a memorable moment involving Vince Carter in the 2000 Olympics, has publicly expressed his disdain towards Embiid’s decision to represent Team USA over France.
Weis’s frustration stems from what he perceives as an unfair advantage Embiid gained in acquiring French citizenship. In a fiery statement on his radio show at the French station RMC, Weis criticized Embiid’s path to citizenship, accusing him of exploiting his athletic prowess to bypass the traditional naturalization process.
“I consider this boy a great player as much as he is a dirty guy,” Weis remarked, highlighting his disapproval of Embiid’s actions. He further added, “I hate him for the things that he did. I think he doesn’t have any respect for France and also for all the people who are asking for a French passport and don’t get it. And under the pretext that he is a great athlete, he got it. I find it scandalous, I find it embarrassing. I don’t care about his excuses, cause they are his words, and his words mean nothing.”
Weis’s proposed solution to the situation is drastic. He advocates for banning Embiid from the Olympics and even restricting his entry into France altogether. “I would take away from him the French nationality and I would ban him from entering France,” Weis asserted. “You will not play in the Olympics. You will come to the airport with Team USA and we will say: You don’t have the right to enter the territory, go to your home. You are Cameroonian, you are American, you are not French, go away.”
The controversy surrounding Embiid’s choice has also sparked a broader discussion on FIBA’s naturalization rules. These regulations permit each team to include one naturalized player on their roster for international competitions, a provision that some argue favors countries with access to top-tier basketball talent.
However, Weis’s discontent with Embiid’s decision goes beyond mere sporting allegiance. It reflects a deeper sentiment of national pride and perceived injustice. While the debate may center on basketball, the underlying themes touch on identity, fairness, and the complexities of international sportsmanship.
In response to Weis’s impassioned plea, it remains to be seen how the basketball community, both in France and globally, will navigate the delicate balance between individual choice and national representation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
