Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has been sent home from international duty ahead of schedule after ‘breaking team rules’ while representing Kosovo. The 25-year-old played for Kosovo in their defeat to Romania on Friday but will not be involved in Monday’s fixture against Cyprus.
In a statement released by the Kosovo FA, it was confirmed that Muric was one of three players to have been sent home early after ‘breaking the regulations of the national team’. Edon Zhegrova and Florent Muslija also left the camp with ‘further measures’ set to be taken against all three players.
The statement read: “By joint decision of the manager Franco Foda and the federation, three players, Arjanet Muric, Edon Zhegrova and Florent Muslija, have left the national team gathering due to breaking the regulations of the national team established by the manager and the federation.
“The FFK executive committee will decide on further measures against the players in question. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper who was on the waiting list, Faton Maloku from FC Drita, will join the team.”
Muric was quick to dispute that version of events, telling Kosovan newspaper Klan Kosova: “The decision made against us was not fair at all and the rumours that are circulating are not true at all.”
The former Burnley goalkeeper joined Ipswich over the summer, moving to Portman Road for a reported transfer fee of around £8million. He missed Ipswich’s opening game of the season after picking up an injury in training, with Christian Walton featuring against Liverpool.
Muric was back in the side for Ipswich’s trip to Manchester City and made two glaring errors leading to goals in the first half. He was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, allowing Erling Haaland to convert an easy chance, before rushing out of his goal as the Norwegian striker rounded him to score again.
He settled into the game from that point on, pulling off a magnificent save at full stretch to deny Haaland in the second half. It was later nominated by the Premier League for the Save of the Month award for August.
Muric fared better in Ipswich’s home draw against Fulham before the international break, making a string of fine saves to help the Tractor Boys pick up their first point of the campaign. He is likely to start in goal for the Blues against Brighton this weekend.
Before joining Ipswich, Muric made 55 appearances for Burnley and was their first-choice goalkeeper when they won the Championship title in 2023. He did not feature as much last season, sharing the gloves with James Trafford as the Clarets were relegated back to the second tier.
