Brittney Griner has been abandoned by US says WNBA coach as Russian prisoner misses another game | The Sun

WNBA coach James Wade has suggested that Brittney Griner has been abandoned by the US as she misses another game for the Phoenix Mercury.

Brittney has been detained for more than 130 days after a scan of her belongings at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport allegedly revealed that she had cartridges containing liquid with hashish oil.



Wade, who coaches the Chicago Sky, made the comments on July 2 – as reported by the Chicago Sun Times – as his team faced off against Griner's in her absence – and one day after her trial began in Russia.

"We have a woman who represents everything that we’re supposed to stand for that’s sitting in a prison," Wade said.

"And we’re just making posts. She’s played for our country and brought our country glory, and this is how we’re treating her. It’s disgusting."

Griner has been named an honorary starter for next week's WNBA All-Star Game as a petition by the Women’s National Basketball Players Association calling for help from the White House and State Department has grown to nearly 300,000 signatures.

READ MORE ON BRITTNEY GRINER

Brittney Griner’s wife calls out US over WNBA star’s detainment in Russia

Basketballer shaken as she faces 10yrs jail in Russia for having ‘vape’

"[The White House] knows where [Griner] is," Wade added.

"She’s been there for four months. Why do we have to sign a petition? Let’s pretend it’s Tom Brady. Would we have to sign a petition then?"

Fans have often been spotted sporting "Free BG" signs and apparel at WNBA games this season while Griner remains in detention.

Most read in The Sun

TOWIE TRAGEDY

Towie's Yazmin Oukhellou seriously injured in smash that killed Jake McLean

'unconditional love'

Christine McGuinness says she’s organising party solo as Paddy trains

RY'S NEW MAN

Rylan Clark kisses and cuddles Geordie Shore star's ex on romantic night out

STAR'S PAIN

Warwick Davis 'told kids to say goodbye' to wife as she battled mystery illness

GRINER'S WIFE CALLS THE SITUATION 'REALLY DIFFICULT'

Brittney's wife, Cherelle, also called out the US this week over the WNBA star's detainment in Russia.

"It's difficult," Cherelle Griner said, speaking to CNN.

"It's really, really difficult.

"This is not a situation where the rhetoric is matching the action.

"And so I can't just take the fact that this is somebody's job to bring home my wife and go off grid and focus to that degree. I can't do that.

"I do have to, unfortunately, also push people to make sure the things they're telling me is also matching their actions," Cherelle said.

"And so it has been the hardest thing to balance because I can't let up.

"It's over 130 days and BG is still not back."

Cherelle also said she doesn't believe the maximum effort is being put forth to bring her wife home.

"I hate to say that because I do trust that the persons working on this are very genuine people – that I do believe.

"But I don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because, again, the rhetoric and the actions don't match."

Cherelle goes on to say that Brittney called the US embassy 11 times and no one answered.

Read More On The Sun

New shock video shows moment cops kill unarmed 25-year-old Black man

Kardashian fans in shock as Kris stuns in zebra bikini throwback pic

"It would've been in her best interest for her phone call to have been answered.

"It would be in her best interest for her to be back on US soil."

    Source: Read Full Article

    Previous post Boffins building space detector to warn when alien dust wreaks havoc on Earth
    Next post Sushmita Sen Returns in Season 3 of Emmy-Nominated Disney+ Hotstar Series ‘Aarya’ (EXCLUSIVE)