City of Coventry ‘rejects’ US bid for Olympic service

Coventry City are said to have blocked Haji Wright from competing for his country at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The American international was on duty with his country in the Copa America, delaying his return to pre-season training with the Sky Blues.

The United States failed to qualify for Group C, finishing third after losses to Uruguay and Panama after an opening win over Bolivia. The 26-year-old forward was an unused substitute in the first and second games and came on in the 79th minute in the third game.

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Despite his lack of competitive match minutes, he would have been training most days, which would have given him a level of fitness to ensure he should hit the ground running on his return to Ryton.

The U.S. is set to announce its team on Monday for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which are scheduled to run from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11.

But Wright is not expected to feature after Washington Post writer Steven Goff claimed via his X platform @SoccerInsider: “Coventry City has refused US request to release Haji Wright for Olympics, I’m told.”

Had Wright been allowed to realize it, it would have meant he would miss most of City’s pre-season and the opening game of the new Championship campaign.

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