Funso Ojo is refusing to train with the Scunthorpe United first team amid a contract dispute that has seen a move to the Scottish Premier League break down this week, as reported by Any Old Iron.
Ojo had been on course to sign for Edinburgh side Hibernian, but an argument with the Iron has scuppered that move. It seems he believed he’d activated a relegation release clause that allows him to walk away from the club as a free agent.
However, Scunthorpe are claiming he has not activated that clause by the May 31st deadline and therefore remains contracted to them. That’s meant the breakdown of his move to Easter Road, although he is still likely to leave the club this summer.
The 27-year-old has refused to train with the first-team squad since the issue amid the dispute, which it’s thought will not stop him leaving Glanford Park before the new season starts.
The midfielder represented Belgium up to Under 21 level and joined the Iron in 2017 from Willem II of the Eredivisie. He began his career with PSV Eindhoven and also represented Royal Antwerp and Dordrecht.
Our View
This is the sort of dispute that paints everyone involved in a bad light, isn’t it? The player wants to leave, the club want a fee and everyone comes out of it looking bad.
Scunthorpe appear to be blocking his move and digging their heels in, he looks like he’s being disrespectful to the fans and his teammates. He’s lost a big move to Scotland and Scunthorpe now have a drama on their hands.
The sooner this is resolved, the better for all parties.
