Sondre Auklend (21) was not seen at Viking training on Wednesday, after learning on Tuesday that the great talent had signed a pre-contact with Bodø/Glimt. Viking said he was sick.
If Vikings sporting director Erik Nevland is to be believed, the 21-year-old won’t be seen on the grass at SR-Bank Arena in the future either.
– Sondre Auklend played his last game for the Viking, he said Game Stavanger Aftenblad Wednesday.
Vikings coach Morten Jensen has already said it is doubtful he can use the midfielder again.
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NISO: – He had to take action
The strong statements of the Viking leader forced the Norske Idrettsutøveres Sentralorgaison (NISO), which is a trade union for athletes, to take action.
– The Vikings are quite categorical in their statements today, which means we have to take action and call them. I spoke to Nevland myself, and I feel they understand their responsibility as a club. At the same time, I can understand that there is a lot of energy in such a situation, especially when it comes to a local player, says the head of the federation in NISO, Kristoffer Vatshaug, to Nettavisen.
In the contract with Auklend, he is entitled to train at the level he signed for, ie the Viking A team. On the other hand, the battlefield is worse:
– We have nothing to do with team selection and so on, because that is the coach’s choice. But the most important thing here is that the player has a fixed field of training, and that’s how he should be in such situations as well, declares Vatshaug.
– What do you think about the wording of Nevland’s statement?
– As I said, I can understand that there is a lot of energy, but I definitely want him to be less categorical. They have not broken any rules with the statements, as long as he is allowed to train with the team, replied Vatshaug.
According to Nettavisen information, Bodø/Glimt are already trying to secure Auklend this summer. His contract with Viking essentially expires on December 31.
Nettavisen has tried to get a comment from Erik Nevland, but he has not yet responded to our inquiries.
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– It is important to send a clear signal
Therefore, Vatshaug contacted Nevland today, Wednesday, to express the kind of responsibility that the Viking has as a club.
– I was on the phone with him today, yes. The most important thing for us was to send a clear signal about the responsibility they have as a club, and that it is followed. The player must also be aware of the possible consequences of such a choice, outside of the rights the person has in the contract. The risk could therefore be that you will not be allowed to play at the highest level for the next six months.
Auklend’s move to Bodø/Glimt has left many a Scandinavian heartbroken. Support group Felt O has already banned the 21-year-old.
– We cheered for you, you let us down. We loved you, you made us very sad. You are banned from the dark blue suit, they wrote on X Tuesday.
The local youngster made his debut for Viking in 2020. Last season he was on loan to Obosliga club Jerv, before returning to Viking and impressing in midfield for the blue jerseys this season.