Hans Nijland slams Sano's refusal, calls the behaviour 'Kots'

Vandaag, former FC Groningen-directeur Hans Nijland expressed strong annoyance at NEC-middenvelder Kodai Sano’s refusal to play on Tuesday evening, saying the Japanese player’s behaviour made him ‘Kots’. He voiced his criticism to the Algemeen Dagblad, arguing that clubs are left powerless when players cite pending transfers as an excuse.

Sano, the Japanner, declined to take part in the Tuesday night match because his transfer to PSV is imminent. As a result, the Nijmegenaren were forced to contest their Champions League-duel with Olympiakos without him.

‘Sterker nog, van dat gedrag moet ik kotsen’, Nijland told the Algemeen Dagblad, emphasizing his disgust.

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Nijland recalled the 2008 case of Uruguayaanse right‑back Bruno Silva, who was kept out of action by the club and, never recovered, a situation he blames on influence from Ajax.

He also cited Filip Kostic, who arrived at his office when Stuttgart expressed interest. Nijland said he would ask the financial man to freeze the player’s salary, but warned that the VVCS would quickly appear on his roof, leaving the club ‘completely helpless’. Door his outspoken remarks, the discussion gained national attention.

De NEC will now continue their League campaign and the upcoming Champions League tie without Sano, while PSV prepares to present the midfielder shortly.