Julius OkorieThere are strong indications that The Dutch Players’ Union VVCS may seek redress against elite Dutch League side Ajax Amsterdam after the club chose to sack Nigeria born English footballer, Chuba Akpom via WhatsApp group chat.
The Union condemned the idea of sacking a player or players who have signed and sealed contract on a WhatsApp group chat, describing it as “improper employment” practice.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAkpom who made 14 appearances for Lille where he has been on loan last season scored three goals and one assist to show for his effort.
Ajax woke up to sack Akpom along with six other players, warning that the seven players are not allowed to resume training with the club’s squad.
The development means that Akpom and the affected players are not allowed to train with the first team and use the facilities provided specifically for the squad even though they are still under contract with the Dutch giants.
Ajax has reportedly told the affected players to look for another club ahead of next season without due consultation with the players.
“The VVCS is surprised by the ban imposed on seven Ajax players under contract,” the union stated.
“These players are being explicitly isolated from their colleagues in the first team. The VVCS considers this to be a form of improper employment and unnecessary public damage to players who bear no responsibility for the situation that has arisen.
“Rather, they are victims of Ajax’s misguided policy, which gave Mislintat free rein at the time.”
Akpom, joined Ajax from English Championship side Middlesbrough in 2023 following a standout season, spent last season on loan at French Ligue 1 side, Lille.
The 29-year-old English striker has been forced to enjoy limited access at the club’s training facility, De Toekomst, effective Sunday, June 29, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
Other affected players are: Croatian international, Borna Sosa, former Manchester City youth player, Carlos Forbs, Kristian Hlynsson, Christian Rasmussen, Jay Gorter, and Branco van den Boomen. The aforementioned players, including Akpom, were signed at Ajax during the reign of the club’s former sporting director, Sven Mislintat.
“Chuba Akpom, Carlos Forbs, and five other Ajax players will no longer be allowed to train with the first team starting Sunday when newly appointed head coach John Heitinga begins preparations for the new season,” De Telegraaf reported.
“The players received the message via WhatsApp from technical director Alex Kroes. The club intends to offload the group to strengthen Heitinga’s squad.
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“On days when Heitinga schedules two sessions, the seven players must wait until the second training has ended before they can access the facilities at De Toekomst. Furthermore, their cars are no longer allowed to park in the designated areas reserved for the first team and technical staff.
“To add to the restrictions, just one physiotherapist has been assigned to attend to all seven of the sidelined players.”
Chuba Akpom, who is a product of Arsenal’s youth system, has played for Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton, and Belgian club Sint-Truiden, mostly on loan.
He has played for England youth national teams before he switched his allegiance to Nigeria in 2019. He is however yet to be capped by the Super Eagles.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Chuba Amechi Akpom rose through Arsenal’s youth ranks and made his senior debut for the club in 2013.
He moved to Greek giants PAOK in 2018, where he scored the winner in the 2019 Greek Cup final, helping the club secure a historic domestic double. After two spells at Middlesbrough, Akpom sealed a €12m transfer to Ajax in 2023. He was subsequently loaned to Lille early 2024.
Ajax’s decision comes in the wake of a dismal campaign that saw them blow a seven-point lead to lose the Eredivisie title to PSV Eindhoven. In the aftermath, head coach Francesco Farioli resigned, citing differing visions with management. Former Ajax and Netherlands defender Johnny Heitinga has been appointed as head coach, with two years contract in the first instance.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
