Usyk's team names those responsible for boxer's detention at Polish airport

Late in the evening of 17 September, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk was detained by Polish law enforcers at Kraków airport. The promoter of the current world champion in the heavyweight division, Oleksandr Krasiuk, clarified the situation and reported his version of what happened that evening.

According to Krasiuk on his Instagram, Usyk stood up for his buddy, who was refused to be allowed on board the plane:

‘Oleksandr together with his friend (also Oleksandr) took flight FR2777 RyanAir from Krakow to Thessaloniki, having travelled more than 11 hours from Kyiv to Krakow by car and a bit tired before that.

Usyk had a priority queue for boarding, and his comrade had a general queue. While waiting for boarding, Oleksandr's mate fell asleep on the seats in the waiting area

After the announcement of the beginning of boarding Usyk woke up his friend and said that he would wait for him at the exit. After going through the passport and boarding pass check procedure, Usyk was left waiting for his mate. That's where it all started.

The airline staff in some strange way established the condition of the other Oleksandr as ‘deep alcoholic intoxication’ and did not allow him to pass on the flight.

Usyk began to clarify the reasons for the non-admission with RyanAir employees, but they refused to give explanations, calling the police. After the officers showed up, the airline employees pointed to the other Oleksandr and explained their conclusions about not being allowed on the flight. The police asked him to come with them for fact-finding and paperwork.

Usyk firmly stated that he would not leave his friend, would not fly without him and was not going to leave the landing zone until the representatives of Ukrainian diplomacy appeared. The police threatened to detain him and handcuff him.

Then Usyk stretched out his hands ... And the policeman put handcuffs on his wrist. And only on him, because, as you can see on the video, which was shot by one of the passengers, the other Oleksandr is walking without handcuffs and holding a travelling bag in his hand.

At the local police premises, the second Oleksandr was asked to take a ‘dragster’ test, which showed an alcohol content equivalent to one bottle of beer. A ‘nasty conversation’ ensued between the police and the airline staff, but it was already too late....

In the meantime, the Consul General of Ukraine was already there and the Polish law enforcers had to give explanations. Whether it was the lunar eclipse that clouded the consciousness of the airline employees and the police, or the desire to get to know the outstanding champion better, it is difficult to say.

So, thank God, the incident is over. We will wait for an official apology and compensation from RyanAir and Polish law enforcers,’ Krasiuk said.