Wolverhampton Wanderers could face sanctions from football's world governing body after their new manager reportedly cancelled an entire training session when his attempt to bar Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare from joining the squad on the pitch failed.
Training Session Cancelled Over Arokodare Exclusion
Arokodare moved to Wolves from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2025, but the Super Eagles forward could not prevent the club from dropping out of the Premier League. With the club now in the Championship, both parties are said to have agreed to go their separate ways. However, finding a new club has proved difficult despite reported interest from several European sides, including Turkish clubs Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor, as well as Italian clubs Bologna, Fiorentina, and Genoa.
With no transfer materialising, Wolves appear to have grown impatient and resorted to measures that could expose them to a formal complaint. Journalist Nathan Judah reported that head coach Cesar Peixoto, who took charge following the club's relegation to the EFL Championship, called off training after he was unable to exclude Arokodare from the session.
FIFA Regulations on Player Treatment
The decision raises serious questions about Wolves' compliance with FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. These regulations explicitly prohibit clubs from making unilateral decisions that effectively force a player out. Under those rules, a club cannot bar a player from training without just cause or a verified medical reason. Wolves' actions, as reported, do not appear to meet either condition.
The situation is particularly sensitive given a recent agreement between FIFA and global players' union FIFPRO, which was designed to crack down on clubs using training exclusions as a pressure tactic to push unwanted players towards the exit. Should Arokodare's representatives file a complaint, Wolves could find themselves facing disciplinary proceedings at the international level.
Arokodare's Super Eagles Setback
Legit.ng previously reported that Tolu Arokodare explained why he was left out of Nigeria's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad by coach Eric Chelle. Arokodare was growing into an important member of the squad, but was left out of the AFCON squad due to poor form and lack of minutes at club level. The ongoing uncertainty at Wolves has further hampered his international prospects.
