Kerry Mayodi
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has been deemed ineligible to play over refusal to take the Covid-19 shot despite regulations that all professional athletes in New York have to be vaccinated in order to play in public venues.
Although this means that the 29-year-old can play in games away from home, Nets general manager Sean Marks has dismissed the option, saying that the team will not permit any member to participate part-time.
Irving who played 54 regular season games for the Nets last season was benched on Tuesday over the issue.
The general manager had this to say:
“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.”
“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.” He added
Recently the NBA stated that any player that refuses to comply with local vaccination regulations should not be paid for missed games.
Irving has stated that he is not against vaccination, but he is upset that vaccine regulations are costing people their jobs.
His stance has however been met with much criticism on social media, many fans deeming his stand on the issue to be pointless, standing up for “the loudest people on the planet” and he might lose his place in the team as well.
