AC Ajaccio has announced the departure of Maxime Chanot (34) in a strongly worded press release that claims the centre-back “was no longer 100% committed to the club.”
The defender joined Ajaccio last summer from New York City FC. At the MLS side, the Luxembourger became the longest-serving player in the club’s history and in 2021 he was able to win the MLS Cup.
Despite becoming an icon in New York, the chance to play in Corsica where the Luxembourg international had grown up was too big of an opportunity to pass up. As he explained in his departing statement, “I left home when I was 14, it’s been almost 20 years, and I was presented with the opportunity to play in front of my family, which I have never done.”
The homecoming was shortlived regardless of the defender becoming an integral part of the side as they drifted around the middle of the table. According to the club, after the winter transfer window, Chanot requested the termination of his contract citing a family emergency.
Chanot’s request initially refused by Ajaccio
To which the club states that it “Categorically refused the departure of its centre-back due to the imposed timing. Following this refusal and in the face of individual performances that followed, both on the field, in training and around the club, Maxime was no longer 100% committed to the club.”
The statement continues, “Maxime contacted management on numerous occasions, first by proposing an increase in his contract and ultimately turning around and leaving regardless of the consequences. Maxime Chanot in his last interview, expressed his difficult choice: to stop his career so as to not abandon his family or to be released from his contract.”
Ajaccio expressed their disappointment, “Faced with this behaviour and this situation, the sports management and the club decided to part ways with the player because his presence would have been negative or even counterproductive for the group.” And concluded, “Ajaccio cannot imagine keeping a player who does not honour his commitments and who cannot give 100% to defending its colours.”
