Martínez obtains passport and starts return to Brazil to report to Corinthians | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, the Venezuelan midfielder José Martínez has secured a new passport and begun travelling back to Brazil to report to Corinthians after a little over one month away.

The club were informed on Friday that the document had been issued and that he was returning. He will not be in the squad for the derby against Palmeiras on Sunday at 20:30, Brasília time, in the seventh round of the Campeonato Paulista.

He had been in Venezuela, unable to return since last year's holidays, and his absence irritated the coaching staff, the football department and the board. He missed training sessions and eight Corinthians matches in that period.

He did not make the third of January reporting date because his passport had no blank pages for immigration stamps. He was only able to apply for a new passport on 13 January and was not given a collection date.

Club officials acknowledge the complex political situation in Venezuela, but believe the matter could have been resolved before this year. While away, Martínez stayed in touch with executives, though he did not reply to a message from Dorival Júnior, which annoyed the coach.

The Corinthians manager has said publicly that on his return Martínez must win back the trust of his team-mates to earn opportunities. The club will speak with him upon his return and assess possible sanctions.

Source: Globo.com