Sagiv Yehezkel landed in Israel last night after 24 tense hours in Turkey and was greeted at Ben-Gurion Airport as a hero, no less. Dozens of fans were waiting for the player, and when he came out to them, they hoisted him on his shoulders wrapped in an Israeli flag and sang "Am Yisrael Chai." Ezekiel himself spoke little at the time, but the little he said to reporters there says it all. "It's the best feeling in the world to be here. There is nothing about the State of Israel in the world," he declared, without adding.
The Antalyaspor connection went through an extremely unusual day, literally. The goal he scored yesterday in the league match against Trabzonspor he chose to dedicate to the abductees, something that was not well received, to say the least, by the Turks – and sparked a real storm. So much so that an investigation was opened against Ezekiel and he "spent" an entire night in detention, and the club president announced that his contract would be terminated.
Despite that statement by the president, Ezekiel's contract is still valid. In fact, with the intervention of the chairman of the association, a special UEFA team is working with the Turkish team to have the midfielder's contract honored, until an alternative team is found. Sources familiar with the details told Israel Hayom that "UEFA is not used to hearing about the release of players for political reasons. They see it harshly."
B.S. fans waiting for Yehezkel at Ben Gurion Airport, Photo: Bernie Ardov
As far as the actor himself is concerned, at the moment the desire is mainly to keep quiet with the family in the country. As far as the contract at Antalyaspor is concerned, the matter will be referred to legal authorities, if and when another team is found to absorb it. His salary was €450,<> on a two-year contract beyond the current season.
At the same time, Zuaretz appealed to FIFA to allow Yehezkel to sign for a third team this season, having already played for Hapoel Be'Sheva and Antalyaspor. The rules allow playing for two teams, but given the situation that has arisen, FIFA or UEFA can grant him special permission to sign with another team. The possibility of signing in a "reverse league", such as Japan or the USA (where the 2024/25 season will soon begin), is also open to the player. His agent Dudu Dahan is exploring all options for him, and a return to Hapoel Be'Sheva is also possible, although it is unlikely that UEFA will allow the midfielder to sign for a third club.
Yehezkel, tonight at Ben Gurion Airport, photo: Bernie Ardov
The extent to which Sagiv Yehezkel's story stirred Turkey is evidenced by the fact that he very quickly went beyond the boundaries of sports, and many diplomats were forced to intervene. The actor's concerned parents were in contact with Foreign Ministry officials, and Israeli security officials also instructed them on what to do. All the while, there was a private plane waiting for the Israeli's release to bring him back to Israel as soon as possible.
Yehezkel, as mentioned, was detained overnight. After conversations with his associates, it became clear that no one from his club cared for his welfare or bothered to help him. Under pressure from UEFA through the Israeli Association, only the Turkish FA was the one to exert pressure to release Yehezkel for fear of sanctions. In the end, despite the intervention of Turkish government ministers who pressed to "bring the Zionist terror supporter to justice," it was the power of the European Football Association that helped end the story and allow Yehezkel's return to Israel.
Mader Sea. Received messages to keep a low profile, photo: AFP
Before leaving, Yehezkel was ordered to return to Turkey while the trial continues, but now that he is in Israel, security officials and the Foreign Ministry will instruct him on how to act. The Turkish prosecutor accuses the Israeli of offenses of "incitement to hatred and hostility" and "support for Israel's massacre in Gaza."
On the same issue, and due to the sensitive situation in Turkey, security officials also contacted Eden Kartsev, who is in a complicated situation with his Istanbul team in Shakşehir. Fenerbahce's Yam Madar has also received messages to keep a low profile and not produce anything that would make the Turks ride on the situation and make a mess.
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According to sources familiar with the details, it was explained to the players that "the Turks will do everything in their power to cause them damage and thereby harm the State of Israel." Kartsev, by the way, is expected to be next in line to return to Israel, since he, too, is under heavy pressure from extremist elements in Turkey. His club from Istanbul has turned its back on him and is even interested in releasing him without compensation.
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