VENEZUELAN ERUPTS
Verbal altercation with coach behind Carrera’s departure
A HEATED argument between Cairns Taipans coach Aaron Fearne and sacked import Michael Carrera is believed to be the real reason behind the forward’s sudden departure from the club.
The club last week declared Carrera’s ankle injury as the cause for the two parting ways but, multiple sources have confirmed the pair were involved in a heated verbal altercation last week at training, which eventually led to Carrera’s sacking from the club.
A Taipans spokeswoman said yesterday Carrera left the club on amicable terms and any claims to the contrary were just rumours.
A HEATED argument between Taipans coach Aaron Fearne and sacked import Michael Carrera is believed to be the real reason behind the forward’s departure from the club.
The club last week declared Carrera’s ankle injury as the cause for the two parting ways half way through the NBL season.
But, multiple sources have confirmed the pair were involved in a heated verbal altercation last week, which eventually led to Carrera’s sacking from the club.
During a training session early last week at the Fish Tank, Carrera and Fearne were arguing on court before the Venezuelan import exited practice and returned to the players’ locker room, where the heated exchange later continued.
The fiery clash did not turn physical.
A Taipans spokeswoman said yesterday Carrera left the club on amicable terms and any claims to the contrary were just rumours.
“Carrera’s injury status and timing determined his departure, and there is no bad blood between Mike, the club and his management,” she said.
“The club remains in contact with Mike, and he spoke with the players and coaches as recently as the weekend.”
Despite the club claiming Carrera’s ankle injury is season ending, he posted a video to his Instagram account yesterday of him running with no concerns.
It was not the first time the import forward had clashed with coaching staff as it is understood Carrera and Fearne had a serious verbal altercation following a game against Illawarra at the NBL Blitz.
Carrera was also seen in a heated discussion with another member of the coaching staff during a game against Perth in the preseason.
Carrera, dubbed the Venezuelan Volcano, led the team in scoring across his five NBL games but in the four games Carrera completed, the Snakes only claimed one victory.
The athletic forward was handed a two-match ban by the NBL’s Game Review Panel following his debut game against Perth, which was later downgraded to a $750 fine.
The Venezuelan was also ejected from a preseason game against Perth.
NBL legend Derek Rucker called for the Taipans to sack Carrera earlier this season.
“They can replace him with another player who’s less of a headache,” Rucker said.
The emerging Jerry Evans Jr, who is already with the Taipans as an injury replacement for Carrera, will finish the season as the Snakes’ third import.
Carrera and his management were approached for comment.