Altach midfielder Massombo refuses trip before Sturm Graz match

Unrest has emerged at Austrian Bundesliga club SCR Altach after midfielder Yann Massombo refused to travel for Saturday’s away match against Sturm Graz, ORF Vorarlberg reported. Altach sporting director Philipp Netzer said the Frenchman wants to join Sturm Graz.

Massombo informed Altach officials after Friday morning’s final training session that he would not travel to Graz, Netzer said. The club tried to persuade him to board the team bus, but he refused, saying he wanted to change clubs.

Netzer said he had never experienced such a situation before and criticised Massombo for leaving the team in difficulty. Altach said it had learned that Sturm Graz had contacted the player in recent weeks and again on Friday. Netzer said Sturm had not contacted Altach directly, calling the approach incorrect.

Sturm Graz confirmed its interest in Massombo. Club spokesman Stefan Haller said the midfielder was a player Sturm had been following for several weeks, but denied that the club had encouraged him to strike or take similar action.

Altach will discuss how to proceed after Saturday’s match. Sturm coach Fabio Ingolitsch was Altach’s coach until last winter.

Massombo can only leave Altach with the club’s approval. His contract runs until 2027 and includes an option for another year. He has played for Altach since last summer, making 40 competitive appearances, scoring five goals and providing five assists.