Football
Moises Llorens, Barcelona correspondent 5y

Sources: Ochoa's no-show due to travel issues

Mexico international Guillermo Ochoa didn't show up for training at Standard Liege on Sunday due to travel complications to Belgium, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.

Ochoa had been criticized on Sunday by Standard Liege's CEO Alexandre Grosjean for "lacking professionalism" in not turning up, which came as a surprise to Ochoa's camp, as the 34-year-old had made head coach Michel Preud'homme and club president Buno Venanzi aware of his delayed return to preseason, according to the sources.

Ochoa's future when he returns remains up in the air. His contract ran out on June 30 and the Belgian club had an option to extend, but Standard failed to communicate that to the player by the stipulated March 31 deadline. The parties are still negotiating, but haven't reached a deal as yet, said the sources.

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The former Club America player is hoping to be able to join Standard's preseason as soon as possible, although Ochoa stated back in May that he would be looking to move on.

"I'm sad because I like the club and I've given everything for it, but in a professional career you always have to evolve in the best teams or discover new things," he said.

Ochoa was part of the Mexico squad that won the Gold Cup earlier this month, defeating the United States in the final in Chicago.

ESPN FC's Tom Marshall contributed to this report. 

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