Marco Livaja was sent home from Pafos’s training camp in Bled, Slovenia, ahead of their potential Europa League match against Hajduk.

In a statement, the Croatian team cited “… a violation of the club’s disciplinary regulations and failure to comply with the rules set by the club during his stay at the training camp.”

According to Croatian media reports, following Croatia’s victory over Ghana and its qualification for the World Cup, eight players—including Livaja— decided to celebrate by going out for drinks. Although it’s said they didn’t stay out all night—or at least not that late—the Hajduk management was informed of everything.

The next day during training, the team’s coach, Gonzalo García, put the eight players through their paces, making them run nonstop, unlike the rest of the players, who followed a lighter training regimen. This did not sit well at all with the 33-year-old star, who had a heated verbal altercation with both the Spanish coach and sporting director Robert Graf, who decided to send him back to Split.

“Marco is invaluable to the Club, the fans, and everyone who loves and lives for Hajduk. This decision was made with only one interest in mind—Hajduk above all else. Always and forever. We will inform the public of further decisions in due course,” concludes the Croatian team’s statement.

Livaja, who has played for Hajduk since 2021, when he left AEK, had 11 goals and 7 assists in 32 appearances last season.

*photo source: AP