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Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare found himself at the centre of a controversy that led to the complete cancellation of the first team’s Monday training session, according to multiple reports.

Arokodare endured a disappointing debut season at Wolves, registering only three goals in 33 appearances after his £23.4 million move from Genk. The Black Country side were relegated from the Premier League, and new manager Cesar Peixoto, appointed in the summer, quickly excluded Arokodare from the pre-season training camp in Portugal for reasons that remain unclear.

The former Genk forward appears set to leave Molineux this summer. Reports from Turkey suggested that Serie A club Fiorentina had lost interest, leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor as the frontrunner. However, Arokodare is understood to have turned down that move even after Wolves accepted the offer. The player and club are now locked in a standoff, with Arokodare eager to depart while the Championship side aims to recover as much of their investment as possible through a significant transfer fee.

Genoa and Pisa, both of whom were relegated from Serie A last season, have also shown interest in the 25-year-old Nigerian international, who joined Wolves last summer after earning his first senior cap for Nigeria.

Wolves, now back in training at their Compton Park facility, reportedly instructed Arokodare not to train with the main squad. His refusal to comply sparked a confrontation that ultimately led to the cancellation of the session.

Journalist Nathan Judah wrote on social media, “Understand Wolves training was cancelled [on Monday] following Tolu Arokodare’s refusal to leave the pitch.”

He added, “Cesar Peixoto seemingly not tolerating ‘player power’ and poor discipline levels. Extra security enforced at Compton Park [on Tuesday] to make sure he was not at the training ground.”

The situation has raised the possibility of Wolves becoming a test case under FIFA’s recently strengthened rules regarding the treatment of players under contract.

With Mexico international Raul Jimenez returning to the club, it is clear that Arokodare does not feature in Peixoto’s future plans. However, under FIFA’s updated player protection guidelines, the manager cannot isolate or exclude a contracted player from first team activities as a means of pressuring him to leave.

According to Soccernet, “Clubs are no longer allowed to force contracted players to train separately from the main squad or place them in so-called ‘bomb squads’ as a way of pressuring them into accepting transfers.”

It further explains, “Players must continue training with the first team unless there is a genuine sporting reason or a documented medical issue preventing their participation.”

While Arokodare’s disruption of Monday’s training session may count against him in any potential legal or disciplinary proceedings, Wolves also face significant risks if they are found to have breached FIFA’s new rules.

“Clubs found guilty could face financial penalties, transfer bans and other sporting sanctions. Any unpaid wages would also attract an automatic eight percent interest charge,” Soccernet reported.

It added, “[Players] may also seek contract termination and leave on a free transfer instead of generating a transfer fee for their club.”

Arokodare’s career path saw him move from Latvian club Valmiera to Genk in 2023, following loan spells at Cologne and Amiens, before his transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.