Brighton reportedly banished Joao Pedro after altercation with teammate

Brighton & Hove Albion's recent Premier League encounters, including their home victory over Liverpool, have been shadowed by the conspicuous absence of Brazilian striker Joao Pedro. While manager Fabian Hürzeler initially attributed his omission to "private reasons," reports have since emerged, indicating that Pedro was reportedly banished from the squad following a training ground altercation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

The alleged incident is said to have occurred in the lead-up to Brighton's Premier League clash against Wolves on May 10. This timing is particularly noteworthy as Pedro, aged 23, was expected to make his return to the matchday squad, having just completed a three-match suspension for violent conduct in an earlier game against Brentford. His absence from both the Wolves trip (due to suspension) and the subsequent Liverpool fixture (due to the reported altercation) has drawn considerable attention.

Conversely, defender Jan Paul van Hecke maintained his place in the lineup for both matches, playing the full 90 minutes against Arne Slot's Liverpool side. Van Hecke has been a consistent presence under Hürzeler this season, featuring in 33 of Brighton's 37 league games, and his contributions were recently recognized as he was voted both the club's Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season.

The alleged dispute casts a cloud over the future of Joao Pedro, who joined the Seagulls in 2023 for a then-club record fee of £30 million. Despite the turmoil, the Brazilian international remains Brighton's joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 10 goals and has made 30 appearances across all competitions this season, highlighting his importance on the pitch.

His contract with Brighton extends until 2028, but the recent disciplinary issue has fueled speculation that the club might consider offloading him in the upcoming summer transfer window if the dispute cannot be resolved.

When pressed on Pedro's potential return, Manager Hürzeler remained tight-lipped, reiterating, "We have to see. Joao had private reasons why he was not available. Let's see how it is going to continue." The uncertainty surrounding this internal matter leaves fans and pundits alike awaiting further developments on the talented but now troubled striker's situation at the Amex Stadium.