Paul Akouokou, Ivorian-coast midfielder for Real Betis, is not doing the preseason stage with the first team on Swiss soil due to “personal issues,” as the club explained a few days ago. The player is in Barcelona this Wednesday, together with his representative, former Betis footballer Washington Tais, from the Promoesport agency, to go to the Ivory Coast consulate in Barcelona to request a visa with which to access England, where Real Betis will hold its second stage between July 26 and 31.
Paul himself has published a photo on his Instagram profile in which he appears with Washington Tais on the promenade of the Catalan capital. Ivorian citizens need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, even for work reasons and for a short period of time, hence they have had to complete the process these days, before returning to training with their colleagues.
Paul, 23, was injured last season and was doing extra work after the end of the league campaign in the sports city with other players such as Dani Martín and Camarasa. Last season he participated in ten league games and three in the Cup and he is a footballer who is part of Pellegrini's plans for next season.