Sagiv Jehezkel, a 28-year-old Israeli footballer playing for Antalyaspor in Turkey, was arrested and promptly dismissed by the club. The catalyst for this unexpected twist was Jehezkel’s goal celebration, which involved a gesture aimed at highlighting hostages taken by Hamas.
According to the Daily Mail, Turkish law enforcement took Jehezkel into custody on Monday, questioning him about a message displayed on his wristband during a crucial top-tier match. The inscription, ‘100 days, 7.10,’ subtly referenced the 100 days elapsed since the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. The footballer, known for his clenched fist goal celebration, showcased this message after scoring against Trabzonspor in Turkey’s Super League on Sunday.
Sinan Boztepe, the president of Antalyaspor, took swift action, revealing Jehezkel’s removal from the club due to what was deemed an act against Turkey’s national values. Boztepe asserted, “Our Board of Directors will never allow behaviour against the sensitivities of our country, even if it results in a championship or a cup.”
The Turkish Football Federation echoed this sentiment, supporting Antalyaspor’s decision in an official statement. It read, “We condemn the completely unacceptable behaviour of football player Sagiv Jehezkel in the Bitexen Antalyaspor – Trabzonspor match. We find Bitexen Antalyaspor’s decision to exclude the player from the squad appropriate.”
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett expressed disbelief at Jehezkel’s arrest and subsequent expulsion from the club in a tweet, denouncing the situation as “unbelievable.” The incident has sparked a wave of reactions, underlining the complex intersection of sports, politics, and personal expression on the global stage.
