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Leeds United baffled as forced to block international decision for 27-year-old – Report

Leeds United baffled as forced to block international decision for 27-year-old – Report

Soccer Football – Championship – Play-Off – Semi-Final – First Leg – Norwich City v Leeds United – Carrow Road, Norwich, UK – 12 May 2024 Leeds United’s Junior Firpo in action with Norwich City’s Angus Gunn Action Images/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No unauthorized use of audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online use during the match is limited to 75 images, without video emulation. Not used in single club/league/player betting, games or publications. Please contact your account representative for more details.

Leeds United are set to block any Olympic involvement for their senior players, with Junior Firpo named in the final Dominican Republic squad.

The Whites are eight days away from their first outing of pre-season when they take on Harrogate Town next Friday, with Daniel Farke putting his first big part to work.

Many of the key players in Farke’s squad have already returned to Thorp Arch in preparation for promotion next season, including Dominican Republic international Junior Firpo.

Junior Firpo was named to the Dominican Republic’s final Olympic team

Having featured in June’s internationals for his country in an unorthodox attacking midfield role, it looked like the same was on the cards in July for Firpo.

The Paris 2024 Olympics are looming and the Dominican Republic have confirmed their final squad, with Firpo named number 10:

It presents a problem for Leeds, however, with the Olympic football tournament taking place between July 24 and August 9, meaning Firpo would have to miss a large part of pre-season as well as possibly the start of the campaign.

Happy to have Aaronson back?

Leeds will block Firpo’s involvement at the Olympics with the Dominican Republic

LeedsLive have now said that Firpo’s inclusion in their final squad has drawn “doubtful looks” from those at Elland Road, who expected the left-back to be part of pre-season training.

After arriving ahead of schedule for the first day of training, Firpo will not be allowed to play for his country this month as the Olympic tournament is not part of FIFA’s schedule, allowing clubs to refuse to release players from duty.

Mateo Joseph is also in the same boat, being tipped as a potential Spain call-up, but he is also present at Thorp Arch and will not be involved.

Right decision from Leeds, no unnecessary setbacks for Firpo and co

Firpo’s fitness is something Leeds need to manage at their best during a 46-game run, but giving him a hectic and hectic pre-season is not ideal.

So there is no chance that the club will let him play in France without fund issues or the transfer going through.

He’s not going to the Olympics, so that means he’ll be key next season, which is a massive boost.

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