Former Barca striker makes a mess at Espanyol because he won't drop down to second-tier football
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 25.07.23. | 13:17
The Dane refused to play in the friendly against Cadiz and left the team's pre-season camp
Danish striker Martin Braithwaite is having difficulty getting to terms with Espanyol's relegation from La Liga. The former Barcelona striker has turned against his club because he doesn't want to play in the second tier - and will go to extremes to get off the hook.
The Denmark international has refused to get on the pitch in a pre-season friendly against Cadiz on Sunday - and now he's left the Espanyol training camp altogether.
Of course, Braitwaithe's departure from the training camp Marbella happened without the club's permission or even notifying anyone. The Dane was caught having dinner at the Spritz Restaurant in Castelldefels with his family on Monday night, according to La Grada.
The 32-year-old striker has a contract until June 2025 and is unwilling to play in Spain's second-best division because he believes it would diminish his chances of playing for Denmark in the European Championship next year. Additionally, he does not want to accept a 50% pay cut that relegation from La Liga entails.
Former Barça player Martin Braithwaite has left Espanyol's pre-season training camp without notifying the club. The player packed his bags because he is not willing to play in the Spanish 2nd division. Braithwaite could retire if no offers come in.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 24, 2023
— @relevo pic.twitter.com/olaMO5CMHw
Braithwaite has been trying to get some offers in, but no club made offers for him. That's why he decided for his grossly unprofessional move and will now face consequences. Espanyol's sporting director Fran Garagarza will act to prevent such incidents from repeating in his club's camp.
"It has been an unpleasant surprise. It is not easy to experience this situation because it is new, and we did not like it. A professional player who is with us and suddenly stops being there, it is something that has an impact. I spoke with him, and he told me he didn't want to be here and wanted to find a way out. But the situation is clear: the player has a contract with Espanyol, and Espanyol counts on him because he is a significant player for us. From there, there isn't much more to talk about. He doesn't want to be here, and we can't do anything there. I can't tie him up, but what has happened is very serious, and there is great disappointment."
