Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare is facing fresh controversy at Wolverhampton Wanderers after reports claimed he disrupted a training session amid uncertainty over his future at the club.
According to Wolves correspondent Nathan Judah, training at the club’s Compton Park base was cancelled after Arokodare allegedly refused to leave the pitch when instructed not to train with the first team.
Judah wrote on X:
“EXCL: Understand Wolves training was cancelled yesterday following Tolu Arokodare’s refusal to leave the pitch when asked not to train with the squad. Cesar Peixoto seemingly not tolerating ‘player power’ & poor discipline levels.”
The report also claimed additional security measures were introduced to prevent the Nigerian forward from accessing the training ground and that he would not travel with the squad for the friendly against Maidenhead United.
Neither Wolverhampton Wanderers nor Arokodare had responded to the claims at the time of publication.
The reported incident comes as speculation over the striker’s future continues to grow.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Serie A side Fiorentina submitted a proposal worth about £22 million (approximately ₦40.64 billion), structured as an initial loan with an option or obligation to buy. The 25-year-old has also been linked with clubs in Belgium, France and Turkey.
If confirmed, the latest episode would represent another disciplinary issue involving Arokodare. During Wolves’ relegation campaign last season, he was reportedly involved in a dressing-room altercation with teammate Mateus Mane.
Then-manager Rob Edwards later confirmed the matter had been resolved internally.
“That was a couple of weeks ago. Not uncommon. We dealt with it, and we have moved on from it.
“There is a lot of passion, and sometimes things can get physical. We have a group that cares. They are a tight group, and sometimes things can spill over. I’ve got no problem with any of the individuals.”
Current Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto has previously stressed that discipline and accountability would be central to his leadership.
“Firstly, I’m a very demanding coach.
“But, I believe in giving others maximum freedom and maximum responsibility. I want us to work as a team and as a unit and build a good environment.”
FIFA’s New Player Protection Rules
The reported dispute comes weeks after FIFA introduced major reforms to its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), including changes to Article 17 aimed at preventing clubs from isolating players to force transfers.
Under the revised rules, contracted players are generally expected to train with the first team unless there is a genuine sporting or medical reason for exclusion.
Clubs found to have breached the regulations could face financial penalties, transfer restrictions and other sporting sanctions, while affected players would remain entitled to their salaries and benefits.
There is currently no suggestion that Wolves have violated the new rules. However, if Arokodare’s reported exclusion from first-team training is confirmed and found to lack a legitimate sporting justification, the situation could attract scrutiny under FIFA’s updated framework.
Arokodare joined Wolves from Belgian club KRC Genk in 2025 and scored six goals in 38 appearances during his debut season as the club suffered relegation from the Premier League.
The striker has also fallen out of Nigeria coach Eric Chelle’s recent Super Eagles plans after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
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