The contentious situation between Antalyaspor and Israeli soccer star Sagiv Jehezkel persists. Reports from Turkey indicate that the club, where the Israeli winger played last season and from which he was released due to a gesture he made in support of hostages during a league match, is expected to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demand that Jehezkel compensate them with €400,000.
Sagiv Jehezkel
(Photo: Ben Gurion Airport)
Antalyaspor, which has yet to pay Jehezkel €100,000 as mandated by FIFA, claims it is entitled to half of the amount it paid to Hapoel Be'er Sheva for him (€400,000 out of €850,000). The club argues Jehezkel shares responsibility for the situation leading to his release—attributed to the manner of his goal celebration—and that he has a role in the "damage caused to Antalyaspor due to the breach of contract."
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Four months ago, it was reported that Antalyaspor had debts to several players amounting to €1.4 million, including Jehezkel. According to that report, the team faced FIFA sanctions, including a ban on signing new players until those debts were settled.
Following that saga last season, during which Jehezkel was even detained overnight and rescued by a private plane after an unusual and frightening experience, he received the long-awaited release from Antalyaspor by FIFA. He subsequently signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he currently plays.