Wolves' preparations for the Championship season were disrupted on Monday when training was reportedly canceled due to a dispute involving striker Tolu Arokodare. The player allegedly refused to leave the pitch after being instructed not to train with the first team by new manager Cesar Peixoto.
Extra security was subsequently put in place at the club's training ground, Compton Park, to prevent the 25-year-old Nigerian forward from entering the facility. Arokodare was not part of the squad that traveled for a pre-season friendly on Monday evening. He had initially been left out of the team's warm-weather training camp in Portugal but received a late call-up following an injury to another forward.
This incident follows disciplinary action against Arokodare in April after a physical altercation with teammate Mateus Mane after a Premier League match. Despite this, the two players have reportedly shared supportive posts online in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Peixoto, who joined Wolves in June from Portuguese club Gil Vicente, has stated his intention to be a demanding coach. In his first interview, he outlined his desire for an organized team that plays with intensity, aggression, and quality, aiming for an offensive game with high pressing and a strong identity.
Arokodare, who joined Wolves from Genk last summer, has been linked with potential moves to Italian clubs Torino and Genoa. He scored three Premier League goals during the previous season.
The situation also brings attention to new FIFA regulations introduced in June. These rules, agreed upon with FIFPRO, aim to protect players from what is deemed an 'abusive practice,' such as banishing them from first-team training to force a transfer. Clubs may face penalties if a player's exclusion from training is not for a genuine sporting reason. This follows scrutiny of clubs like Chelsea regarding player treatment in recent seasons.
Daily Mail Sport has contacted Wolves, Arokodare's representatives, FIFA, and FIFPRO for comment.