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Radja Nainggolan Suspended By Royal Antwerp After Smoking On The Bench And Driving Without A License

Radja Nainggolan has been suspended from the Royal Antwerp first team. Nainggolan was seen smoking an e-cigarette on the bench before a loss at Standard Liege.

Robert Summerscales

Radja Nainggolan Suspended By Royal Antwerp After Smoking On The Bench And Driving Without A License
Radja Nainggolan Suspended By Royal Antwerp After Smoking On The Bench And Driving Without A License /

Former Roma and Inter Milan midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been suspended from the Royal Antwerp first team.

The 34-year-old was seen smoking an e-cigarette on the bench before Sunday's 3-0 loss at Standard Liege.

That came days after Nainggolan had been arrested by Belgian police for driving without a valid license.

A statement published on Antwerp's club website this week read: "RAFC today had a conversation with Radja Nainggolan about his general functioning and about how certain behaviors reflect on the club and the group of players.

"The club has decided to expel Radja from the A-team indefinitely. 

"Clear agreements have also been made about what our club does and does not expect from its player. Neither player nor club will comment further on this."

Nainggolan did comment further, though, writing on Instagram: "The club has made a decision I can only accept, even though I think it might be a bit too severe for me.

"But I will try to contribute in one way or another."

Radja Nainggolan pictured playing for Royal Antwerp in September 2022
Radja Nainggolan pictured playing for Royal Antwerp in September 2022 :: IMAGO/Belga/Tom Goyvaerts

Nainggolan joined Antwerp in August last year after his contract with Inter Milan was terminated by mutual consent.

He featured in 37 matches last season and had made 18 appearances this term prior to Antwerp's decision to remove him from the first team.

Antwerp finished fourth in the Belgian Pro League last season, earning a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Nainggolan and Co failed to reach the group stage though, after losing to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir in the playoff round.

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.

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