Christ Inao Oulai, a 20-year-old midfielder from Trabzonspor, was moments away from completing a transfer to Fiorentina when he experienced a frightening incident in Istanbul.
According to reports, Oulai was picked up from the airport by individuals posing as representatives of Trabzonspor in an attempt to sabotage his move to Fiorentina. The midfielder participated in all four matches for the Ivory Coast at the recent World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 16.
Ivorian Footballer Faces Disturbing Incident Ahead of Transfer to Fiorentina
The unsettling episode, initially reported by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, unfolded during the last hours of Oulai’s stay in Istanbul. He was scheduled to meet with Trabzon officials to finalize his transfer to Italy.
However, before his meeting, Oulai was approached by a group claiming, “Hello, we are representatives of Trabzonspor.” The midfielder entered the strangers’ vehicle, which soon revealed its true intentions.
During the ride, the imposters pressured Oulai, stating, “Other teams are interested in you; reconsider your contract.” The absence of Oulai from the designated meeting point raised alarms at Trabzonspor, prompting the club to take immediate action to locate him, a process that took several hours.
Once Oulai was found and his story heard, Trabzonspor’s management reacted strongly, warning the player with the possibility of legal action should he attempt to engage in any such dealings. “If you try to do such things, we will initiate legal proceedings against you,” officials reportedly threatened.
The situation is now under control, with Oulai back under the club’s protection. It remains uncertain whether this incident will hinder or expedite his transfer to Fiorentina.
