Jakić and Labrović to stay in Augsburg

The two Croats will not travel to South Africa training camp

After a breathtaking team visit to Kruger National Park, the FCA first team returned to matters on the training pitch on Tuesday. Head coach Jess Thorup led a very intense morning session on the very good playing surface in White River in the South African province of Mpumalanga, followed by a second afternoon session in the gym.

Unfortunately, the Croatian pair of Kristijan Jakić and new signing Nediljko Labrović, whose entry to South Africa was refused, continued to be unable to join up with the squad. They had returned to Germany to clear up the issue with the relevant authorities, but since no new visa was issued on Monday and no short-term solution was found on Tuesday, FCA decided that the pair will not be making the journey to the training camp in South Africa. Instead, the two players will complete individual training programmes in co-ordination with first-team coaches and will get ready to rejoin team training upon the team’s return from South Africa.

Training at home

“It is of course very regrettable that Kristijan and Nediljko are unable to take part in the training camp. In the last few days, we have tried everything to ensure that the players could link up with the team, but as there is no short-term solution in sight today (Tuesday), we have decided that, in view of our last remaining days in South Africa, we would like to offer Kristijan and Nediljko the best possible conditions to prepare them for their return to team training next week in the form of individual programmes which they will complete at home,” commented sporting director Marinko Jurendic.