Moroccan Player Misses Ajax Camp Due to Death Threats

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf revealed that Moroccan-origin player Mohamed Ihattaren is missing Ajax Amsterdam's preparations for the new football season due to receiving death threats from unknown individuals. According to the newspaper, the death threats did not come from Ajax fans, but their source remains unclear at this time. The 20-year-old player has been granted special leave to arrange his personal matters, which is why he is not participating in the current Ajax training camp in Austria, a fact confirmed by the Dutch league champions in an official statement. Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder visited Ihattaren at his home to offer support and confirm that he, along with the club management, stands by him during this ordeal. Ihattaren's loan with Ajax concludes on the last day of this year, with the Dutch club having the option to purchase the player's contract outright for two million euros paid to Juventus, who agreed to sign the player until 2025. Ihattaren was loaned from Juventus to Sampdoria between August 2021 and January 2022, but did not play any matches with the Italian team. Ihattaren rose to prominence with PSV Eindhoven between January 1, 2019, and August 30, 2021. During that period, the player, of Moroccan descent and only seventeen at the time, played 74 matches across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists.