The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) formally requested on Thursday that Israeli player Gavriel Kanichowsky and his club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, face disciplinary review by UEFA after the player’s controversial military salute during a goal celebration.
In a statement, the TFF described Kanichowsky’s gesture as “political, thoughtless, and intended to convey a message,” calling on UEFA’s Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Board to investigate the incident.
Kanichowsky, 27, scored the opening goal in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 3-1 victory over Besiktasduring a UEFA Europa League match held in Hungary last week.
His celebratory military salute has sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of expressing support for Israel’s military operations.
The Turkish federation’s complaint comes amid heightened tensions due to ongoing violence in the region. Israel has escalated its military operations in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, while Palestinians in the West Bank have also faced increasing violence from Israeli settlers.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 805 Palestinians have been killed and over 6,450 injured in the West Bank since the start of these operations.
