NBA star Kyrie Irving has been indefinitely excluded from team activities with the Brooklyn Nets as a consequence of not having received a Covid-19 vaccination.
Irving had faced the prospect of only being available for away matches this season because coronavirus regulations in New York require most individuals to be at least partially vaccinated to enter sports arenas.
The 29-year-old, his team’s starting point guard, has subsequently been banned from training and matches ahead of Brooklyn beginning the new regular campaign at the Milwaukee Bucks next Tuesday.
General manager Sean Marks said the Nets would not allow any player to participate with “part-time availability”.
“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant,” read a statement from Marks.
“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose.
“Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.”
The Nets play home games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Irving joined his current team from the Boston Celtics in 2019, having begun his NBA career at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice,” continued Marks’ statement.
“Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction.
“We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”
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