The agent of AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has rejected claims that his client has gone on strike at San Siro.
The Ghana international caused uproar among the Rossoneri faithful by making himself unavailable for selection for the remainder of the 2014-15 campaign after being told that he had no future at the club beyond the end of the season.
But Muntari's representative says that the Ghanaian, who still has a year left on his contract, reached an amicable accord with Milan CEO Adriano Galliani that he would no longer have to waste his time sitting on the bench ahead of an anticipated summer switch to MLS.
“There is no controversy behind this decision. It was agreed fully with the club,” agent Federico Pastorello told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We spoke to Adriano Galliani and we reached this point. It’s a situation that will continue for the rest of the season, unless [coach] Pippo Inzaghi has an emergency and needs him.
“Muntari will continue to train with the team every day, and on Saturday and Sunday he will train alone. He will be paid by the club because he’ll continue his employment. It was a mutual decision for him not to play.
“There are no disciplinary or medical reasons. He just wants to avoid sitting on the bench as a substitute.
"It’s a demonstration of fairness for an important player who is aged 31 and has already been told he’s not part of the future at Milan.”
Muntari joined the club on a free transfer from city rivals Inter in 2012 and has made over 50 Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri.
