Wolves defy new FIFA rule, bar Arokodare from squad

Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers is reportedly facing scrutiny for allegedly preventing Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare from training with the first team, despite FIFA's newly introduced player protection regulations designed to end such practices. The club allegedly cancelled Monday's training session after Arokodare refused to leave the pitch when instructed not to train with the squad. The following day, additional security was reportedly deployed to their Compton Park training ground to prevent the 25-year-old from returning.

This development occurs early in the tenure of new manager Cesar Peixoto, who replaced Rob Edwards following Wolves' relegation from the Premier League. Arokodare, who scored six goals in 38 appearances last season, has been a subject of transfer speculation during the summer window. Serie A clubs Genoa and Fiorentina are reportedly monitoring his situation, with Fiorentina said to have had an offer rejected earlier this month. The player also reportedly rejected a move to Trabzonspor.

The striker is not expected to participate in Wolves' upcoming pre-season friendly against Maidenhead United. The club's decision to exclude him from training is widely seen as a firm stance by the new manager. However, the timing of this dispute is notable, as FIFA recently implemented significant reforms to its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players in agreement with global players' union FIFPRO.

Under these revised rules, clubs are prohibited from making players train separately from the first team or placing them in "bomb squads" as a tactic to pressure them during transfer negotiations. FIFPRO stated that these reforms aim to better protect players from abusive practices, expressly prohibiting actions like demoting players, forcing isolation, withholding passports, or abusing registration procedures. Wolves have been active in strengthening their squad, with notable arrivals including Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez on free transfers, and Rafiki Said for a reported £7.7 million, alongside the permanent signing of defender Ladislav Krejčí.

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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.