Arokodare debunks Wolves training ground ban

Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has broken his silence following reports of a training ground dispute at Wolverhampton Wanderers, insisting he remains committed to the Championship club despite speculation surrounding his future, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 25-year-old issued a statement after reports claimed Wolves prevented him from training with the first team earlier this week amid growing transfer speculation. “I was very surprised and disappointed to see the media reports, many of which are inaccurate,” Arokodare said. “Throughout my career, I have always taken great pride in conducting myself professionally and maintaining the highest training standards. “My commitment has always been to prepare myself as well as possible so that I can contribute to my teammates and the club whenever I am called upon. “I remain under contract with Wolves, and my only intention is to fulfil my responsibilities professionally by training, doing my job, and contributing to the team in accordance with that contract.” The statement comes after reports alleged that Wolves cancelled Monday’s training session after Arokodare refused to leave the pitch when instructed not to train with the rest of the squad. It was also claimed that the club deployed additional security at their Compton Park training ground on Tuesday to prevent him from returning. The development follows the appointment of new manager Cesar Peixoto, who replaced Rob Edwards after Wolves were relegated from the Premier League following a last-place finish. Arokodare, who scored six goals in 38 appearances last season, has attracted interest from Serie A clubs Genoa and Fiorentina during the summer transfer window. Fiorentina are reportedly understood to have had an offer rejected, while the Nigerian also turned down a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor. Ajax were also said to be interested in him. The striker was also left out of Wolves’ pre-season friendly against non-league Maidenhead United, further fuelling speculation over his future. However, the situation has attracted wider attention because it comes shortly after FIFA introduced sweeping reforms to its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players following an agreement with global players’ union FIFPRO. Under the revised regulations, clubs are prohibited from forcing contracted players to train separately from the first team or placing them in so-called “bomb squads” as a means of pressuring them into accepting transfers. Explaining the reforms, FIFPRO said, “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.”