Paolo Tofoli on Hooker

Seriously, we thought Pesaro has moved on from this issue.

Before reading Tofoli’s words, please be informed that Destinee left Pesaro because she was hurt and had knee surgery upon her arrival in the US. The club was aware of her injury before she left Pesaro.

The Timeline of Her Injury:

• February 4: First MRI showed a small tear in Hooker’s lateral meniscus but was told that she had “jumper’s knee.” Hooker played against Novara prior to this medical check up and Pesaro lost in 3 sets.
• February 21/ 22: Second MRI showed a problem in her knee & volleyball.it reported that Hooker was suffering from an “inflamed patellar tendon.”
• February 23: With an “injured knee,” Hooker played and helped Pesaro win the 1st match against Volero. The injury was getting more serious after this match…

For sure Coach Paolo was and is aware of her condition. Why force an injured player to play for the sake of winning? Hooker’s body is her lifetime investment to earn a living and to pursue her dreams as an athlete. If she continued playing with an injured knee, the consequences could’ve been more serious.

We deeply respect the decisions of both parties on how they want to handle this case, but we just want to state our opinion.

Anyways…

It appears that Pesaro’s coach Paolo Tofoli – a volleyball legend from the 90s – is not over with the departure of the American opposite from his team a week before the Finals of the Champions League.

Vivolley had the opportunity to ask Coach Tofoli about Destinee Hooker’s case and this is what he said:

Italian:

“Ci sarebbe tanto da dire – sospira Tofoli – Il suo comportamento ha indispettito tutti così come la sua mancanza di rispetto. E’ chiaro, che con lei in campo, avremmo vissuto una stagione diversa. Secondo me – sentenzia duro – una persona che si comporta così non è degna di essere definita un’atleta: è inconcepibile abbandonare la squadra una settimana prima delle final fuor di Champions, che rappresentano il sogno per ogni giocatrice. Non ha rispettato non solo la Società e le compagne ma tutto il mondo sportivo in generale. Mi aspetto una punizione esemplare dagli organi competenti anche per non creare un pericoloso precedente…”.

Google Translation:

“We would have much to say. Her behavior has annoyed everyone as well as herlack of respect. It’s clear that with her in the field, we had a different season. In my opinion, a person who does so is not worthy of being called an athlete: it is inconceivable to leave the team a week before the final out of the Champions League, representing the dream for every player. Not only failed to comply with the Company and its companions, but the entire sporting world in general. I expect an exemplary punishment by the competent bodies in order not to create a dangerous precedent … “.

Dang!

From his words, we can sense that Coach Tofoli means serious business from what happened. We can’t blame him feeling frustrated about the entire situation. Brazilian reporter Bruno Voloch has added that Hooker cannot commit on any  team at the moment because her case is still pending with the FIVB.

We can only hope that one day this issue will be resolved and then they can all move on. We wish all parties to bury the hatchet soon. Please?

Keyword: Peace

Thoughts?

(images: vivovolley.net)