2023-09-04 15:28:00
While he had just signed up for Filou Oostende, Patrick McCaw will never play in Belgium. The former Golden State and Toronto player went through hell upon his arrival: passport declared stolen, days of detention and return to the USA, the story is ROCAMBOLESQUE.
Fries, good beers and virtual anonymity… Patrick McCaw will see none of this. As he quietly went to his new club Filou d’Oostende in Belgium, Patrick McCaw had a turbulent customs experience to say the least. As soon as he arrives in the Flat Country, his passport rings bright red at the checkpoint. First galley, McCaw’s passport is declared lost or stolen.
Neither one nor two, the Belgian authorities revoke his passport and, hold on tight, send him to detention in the center of Steenokkerzeel (game won immediately if you place it in Scrabble). A detention that will last three days. 72 hours. 259,200 seconds. In short, an eternity for McCaw who is asked – despite the visit of the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Johan Vande Lanotte – to take the first plane to return to the United States.
Despite all the goodwill of his lawyer, Patrick McCaw ultimately failed to convince the authorities and was forced to look for a new team for the coming season. A particularly incredible story for a top athlete, who is also a three-time NBA champion.
The administrative delays for Patrick McCaw to receive his new passport are several months, so he should find a team in the USA or not far away. One thing is certain is that he should not be returning to our Belgian neighbors anytime soon after this traumatic experience…
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