Reports in the Netherlands claim Ihattaren has been ‘threatened and intimidated’
Ajax youngster Mohamed Ihattaren has been left out of Ajax’s pre-season training camp as he is being ‘threatened and intimidated’, according to reports in the Netherlands.
Ihattaren is one of three players to have been excluded from Ajax’s 29-man squad, which has travelled to Austria as part of their pre-season preparations.
Ihattaren has been given time off to take care of private matters
A statement from the Eredivisie club said that the trio, which included Maarten Stekelenburg and Amourricho van Axel Dongen, were omitted “because they are not fit.”
But concerning reports from Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf have explained that the real reason behind the 20-year-old’s absence is that Ihattaren has been given time off to take care of private matters.
The report claims that Ihattaren is being ‘threatened and intimidated’ by people affiliated to Ajax. Although there is no insight into the sorts of threats the midfielder has received, it has been made clear that the blackmailing has not come from supporters.
There is no further information being added about the threats in the article. But it's now clear that his absense has nothing to do with a lack of discipline nor relapse and that this is why he has not been seen at the club this week, nor traveling to Austria for training-camp.
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) July 17, 2022
Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has tried to show his support for Ihattaren by visiting the 20-year-old by visiting him, with the club also pledging their support to help the youngster.
? – The threats are NOT coming from fans. Alfred Schreuder has visited him to support him while the club is trying to help him the best they can while Mohamed Ihattaren is taking care of this private issue. [via @MikeVerweij] pic.twitter.com/kmkLHRaGuS
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) July 17, 2022
Ihattaren pondered retiring from football in November
Ihattaren is on-loan at the Dutch club after joining from Juventus in January. The youngster joined the Italian side from PSV Eindhoven for £5m last summer, but was immediately loaned to Sampdoria in order to play regular first-team football.
However he never made a senior appearance and rumours emerged in November, claiming that Ihattaren had been pondering retirement at the age of 19 as a result of struggling to cope with depression.
Related links:
- Cristiano Ronaldo dismisses ‘fake’ reports linking him with Sporting Lisbon return
- Dutch youngster Mohamed Ihattaren ‘considering retiring’ due to depression
- Alvaro Morata says criticism left him not wanting to get out of bed