Right-back Fankaty Dabo is amongst 15 players to be released by Coventry City on 30 June 2023.
Dabo is one of seven first-team players who will leave the club upon expiry of their contracts, alongside; Julien Dacosta, Todd Kane, Sean Maguire, Michael Rose, Martyn Waghorn and Tyler Walker.
Dabo’s release also comes just days after his penalty miss saw Coventry miss out on promotion to the Premier League, having suffered a 6-5 defeat on penalties to Luton in the Championship Play-Off Final after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium, London.
In the aftermath of Dabo’s heartbreaking mistake, the right-back received social media abuse which the club described as ‘abhorrent’, whilst vowing to work with police, Player Football Association and EFL to identify the racist individuals with view of prosecution and stadium bans.
Coventry Owner and Executive Chairman, Doug King also issued the following statement: “The messages sent to Fankaty were disgusting and there is no place for any person who sent such vile abuse at any of our games, and social media is not a hiding place to make these comments.
“The Club and our partners will support Fankaty, and we will not hesitate in taking action against those people found to have done this.
“Coventry is a tolerant and multi-cultural city that we are proud to represent, and there is no place any form of racism or discrimination in person or on social media.”
Dabo has made 131 appearances for Coventry since he joined from Chelsea in June 2019, in which he failed to find the net once
Dacosta, Kane, Maguire, Rose, Waghorn and Walker meanwhile amassed 19 goals in 305 appearances between them across the last four seasons.
Club captain, Liam Kelly has been offered a new one-year contract, having scored three goals in 161 appearances for the Sky Blues with both player and club set to enter negotiations in the coming days.
At Under-21 level, Will Bapaga headlines the departures after having made eight senior appearances, whilst goalkeeper – Tom Billson also leaves having made a single first-team appearance.
George Burroughs, Ricardo Dinanga, Aidan Finnergan, Jay McGrath, Harrison Nee and Blaine Rowe will also depart the club this summer.
First-Team Manager, Mark Robins issued the following tribute to those set to leave the club: “I would like to thank those who are leaving for their time with us, the contributions that they have made to Coventry City, and wish them all of the best for their future careers.”
Robins in particular paid tribute to Dabo and Rose for helping the club get promoted from League One in 2019-20 season as he continued: “In particular, Fankaty Dabo and Michael Rose were huge parts of the side that won the League One title and then established us in the Championship.
“They will both be fondly remembered for many years to come by all Sky Blues fans, and the outpouring of support for Fanky from our supporters following Saturday goes to show the esteem he is held in.”
Jonathan Panzo, Callum Doyle, Brooke-Norton Cuffy, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Luke McNally will return to their parent clubs, following the conclusion of their loan spells at the club.
On their returns to their parent clubs, Robins said: “I would also like to thank Jonathan, Callum, Brooke, Josh and Luke for the contributions they made this season while on loan with us, and their parent clubs too.”
Robins proceeded to reflect on the club’s campaign as he iterated that despite a “disappointing” Play-Off Final result, the club “can be very proud” of their achievements this season as work begins ahead of next season which he expects to be “competitive” once more.
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