Benji Kimpioka reveals what REALLY happened after being dropped from the Sunderland under-23 squad

Benji Kimpioka has revealed what really happened when he was dropped from the Sunderland under-23 squad – and claims he ‘understood’ the decision
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Kimpioka was temporarily dropped from the Black Cats’ second string in January after arriving late for training.

Under-23 boss Elliott Dickman elected to leave the striker on the bench for a 4-0 home defeat against West Bromwich Albion in Premier League 2 – a decision Kimpioka now says he understood.

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Speaking at the time about the decision, Dickman said: “Let’s just say he’s had an issue with time keeping.

Benji Kimpioka says he understood the decision to drop him from the Sunderland under-23 squad in JanuaryBenji Kimpioka says he understood the decision to drop him from the Sunderland under-23 squad in January
Benji Kimpioka says he understood the decision to drop him from the Sunderland under-23 squad in January

“There’s obviously a discipline that we have around the squad and his time keeping hasn’t been fantastic.

“That was his lesson tonight, the fact that he was late for training so that was why he was one of the subs.”

And Kimpioka has now corroborated that story, explaining the circumstances behind his omission and why he backed the decision made by his manager.

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He did, however, confirm that there is no bad blood between he and Dickman – claiming that some of his comments were ‘misinterpreted’.

“I was late for a workout,” explained the striker, speaking to the Swedish press.

“I arrived four minutes late. Then it became like respect to other players who arrived in time that I was not allowed to start in that match.

“I understood that to a hundred percent.

“What he said in the press was misinterpreted. We have no resentment towards each other.”