Puerto Rican player Gabriel García Fernández ‘Gabi’ requested to play for the United States Men’s Volleyball National Team at the international level.
The Puerto Rican federation (FPV) received an unexpected request by the rising star of its, but also the world’s, volleyball. Gabi, who wears the jersey of Italy’s Cucine Lube Civitanova on a club level, made the decision to represent the United States in international tournaments even though he has been playing for Puerto Rico since 2015. The information of this came through FPV’s statement on its social media channels. According to the document presented by the governing body of Puerto Rican volleyball, the 23-year-old opposite hitter will apply, with the help of the US federation (USA Volleyball), for a change of sports nationality before the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) in the next few days.
“After a frank conversation (with Gabi), we formally notified him that FPV won’t consent to the change. We also notified Mr. Jamie Davis, President and CEO of USA Volleyball, and the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico,” stated FPV.
The body stressed that it counts on him in tournaments in the near future the same as it has been counting on him thus far. FPV will present its objection to the FIVB to the change that the player has requested and will fight for him to continue to represent the country in the events for which he’ll be called up.
