Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro will not feature in the club’s final Premier League fixture of the season against Tottenham Hotspur following an incident during training, head coach Fabian Hürzeler has confirmed.
The 23-year-old Brazilian was absent from Monday’s thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool, and reports suggest his omission was due to a training ground altercation involving defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Pedro, who has scored 10 league goals this season, has already missed Brighton’s last four matches after receiving a red card in the 4-2 defeat to Brentford on April 19. Now, a fresh issue has ruled him out of the campaign’s concluding fixture.
‘A Small Issue’
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hürzeler downplayed the severity of the incident but stressed that club discipline remains paramount.
“With Joao, we had a small issue in training — the type which isn’t uncommon from time to time in all football clubs,” Hürzeler said. “We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed.”
He added: “Joao is an incredible football player, a match-winner for us. That’s why we invested in him. But there are principles that are non-negotiable and count for everyone — we don’t make any compromises there.”
Hürzeler reaffirmed his faith in the young striker, expressing confidence in his development and eventual return to form.
“Joao is still a young player. He will grow, and I’m sure he will learn from this and come back stronger next season. I’m really looking forward to seeing him renewed and reinvigorated at his highest peak,” he said.
Injuries and Absentees
Pedro is not the only absentee for the Seagulls ahead of their final-day trip to north London. French striker Georginio Rutter, also 23, will miss the match due to an ankle injury that has kept him out in recent weeks.
Rutter, who joined Brighton last summer, has had a promising debut season but has been plagued by injuries in the latter stages of the campaign.
European Hopes Still Alive
Despite the internal distractions, Brighton still have a shot at European qualification. The Seagulls currently sit eighth in the Premier League table and could clinch a spot in continental competition depending on results elsewhere.
Crystal Palace’s dramatic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City has opened up another European slot. For Brighton to qualify, they need either Chelsea — currently in seventh — to beat Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, or for Newcastle United to slip out of the top six.
Hürzeler’s men know a strong finish against Tottenham, recently crowned Europa League champions, is essential to keep their hopes alive.
A Season of Progress
Regardless of how the final day unfolds, it has been a season of progress for Brighton. Under Hürzeler’s leadership, the club has remained competitive in the top half of the Premier League and continued to show belief in a youthful, exciting squad.
While Pedro’s absence is a disappointment, Brighton’s resolve and unity have become a hallmark of their campaign. The club will now look to end the season on a high and potentially earn a spot in Europe for the second time in their history.
The focus will then turn to the summer — one that could be pivotal in shaping Brighton’s next steps both domestically and on the European stage.
