Wolves Stop Arokodare from Training Despite FIFA Rules

Wolves striker, Tolu Arokodare

Championship team Wolverhampton Wanderers might face questions after they reportedly stopped Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare from training with the first team on Monday and Tuesday. This is despite FIFA's new player protection rules aimed at putting an end to such actions, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Reports say Wolves cancelled Monday’s training session after Arokodare refused to leave the pitch when told not to train with the squad. The next day, the club reportedly brought in extra security at their Compton Park training ground to stop the 25-year-old from coming back.

This situation comes just weeks after new manager Cesar Peixoto took over. He replaced Rob Edwards after Wolves dropped from the Premier League, finishing last in the league.

Arokodare scored six goals in 38 games last season. He has been linked with a move away from Molineux during the summer transfer window. Serie A clubs like Genoa and Fiorentina are said to be watching his situation closely.

Fiorentina is also reported to have had an offer turned down earlier this month. Arokodare also turned down a move to Trabzonspor.

He is not likely to play when Wolves face non-league team Maidenhead United in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly. The club’s choice to keep him out of training is seen as a strong statement from the new manager.

The timing of this issue is noteworthy since FIFA recently made major changes to its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. This was done after an agreement with global players’ union FIFPRO.

The new rules say clubs cannot make players train away from the first team or put them in “bomb squads” to pressure them during transfer talks.

FIFPRO explained the changes by saying, “Players will be better protected from abusive practices. Demoting players, forcing them to train in isolation as a form of pressure, withholding passports or abusing registration procedures are now expressly prohibited. These practices have affected too many players for too long and have no place in modern football.”

Wolves have improved their squad for the new season with new signings like Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez on free transfers. Rafiki Said joined the team for a reported £7.7m. The club also made the signing of defender Ladislav Krejčí permanent after his loan spell, bringing their summer spending to about £26m.