Believe it or not: Arboleda demands return to São Paulo squad | OneFootball

On the same day information emerged that São Paulo had released center-back Arboleda early for the vacation period granted to the squad due to the break in the calendar for the World Cup, another chapter has come to light in the behind-the-scenes crisis in the club’s relationship with the 34-year-old player, who has been training separately from the squad after disappearing for a month without authorization.

According to information initially reported by ESPN, the Ecuadorian formally notified Tricolor through the courts on Friday (29), demanding his immediate reinstatement to the squad.

According to the outlet, Arboleda claimed the separation has been harmful to his career. He also demanded that his reinstatement be officially announced by São Paulo within 48 hours on the club’s official communication channels.

Also according to ESPN, São Paulo responded to the notice by claiming that training separately does not constitute being sidelined and that the player has been carrying out activities normally at the Barra Funda training center at alternative times solely because of his physical condition, which is below that of the rest of the squad due to the period in which he abandoned the club.

According to the club’s version, Arboleda returned below the physical levels required to immediately take part in collective training sessions with the rest of the squad. For that reason, a specific recovery and conditioning schedule was established.

Behind the scenes, the board believes that all the measures adopted follow technical and legal standards.

São Paulo says the player still has access to the club’s facilities, fitness staff, medical department, and scheduled training sessions, which does not constitute any kind of improper punishment or situation that harms his professional activity.

This interpretation seeks to avoid future legal questions and possible labor disputes involving the case.

As AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR learned from sources in São Paulo’s top brass, the notice once and for all ends any chance of Arboleda staying at Morumbi, as part of the fan base had pushed for after the absences in defense and Dória’s departure, which forced coach Dorival Júnior to use youth academy players such as Osório.

Some journalists who cover São Paulo on a daily basis even stated that the center-back would be reinstated at Dorival’s request, but the football department’s leadership no longer accepts working with the player. There is resistance from the squad’s leaders as well.

Arboleda has been receiving inquiries from several clubs in Brazil and abroad, but none of them has progressed into a concrete offer for a permanent transfer. His representatives promise to present an offer from Saudi football, and Tricolor turned down a loan offer from Vitória this week.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.