KNVB Official Admits Regret Over Handling of ihattaren Situation
A KNVB representative, speaking anonymously, has expressed regret over the handling of Mohammed Ihattaren‘s case this summer, stating, “I would have wanted to tackle Meerdink differently.” The admission comes amid scrutiny of communication between the KNVB and the player, notably regarding alleged commitments made to Ihattaren.
the controversy centers on whether promises were made to Ihattaren regarding his role within the national team setup. While the KNVB official maintains no direct commitment was given, the statement acknowledges a desire for a different approach in dealing with Ihattaren’s representation. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in player-federation relations and the potential for miscommunication to derail promising careers,with implications for future international squad selections and the KNVB’s reputation.
The official firmly denied personally making any promises to Ihattaren, stating, “That commitment did not come from me. it is not in my working method to promise players certain things.” When questioned about the possibility of someone acting with his authorization conveying such a message, the representative dismissed its relevance, asserting, “That doesn’t matter. The person who ultimately tells and determines, I am. That is why I don’t see that we have made a mistake towards Ihattaren.”
The KNVB representative defended the communication process, characterizing it as standard practice. This comes as the institution navigates a complex situation with a player who has faced both on- and off-field challenges, and seeks to clarify its position amidst public debate.