Israel side Hapoel Tel Aviv has threatened to drag Siyanda Xulu to Fifa after reportedly going AWOL late last week over an alleged fallout with his coaches.
According to an Israel publication, Sport5, the Bafana Bafana defender, who missed Saturday’s league tie with H. Beer-Sheva, only notified the club that he had left upon arrival in South Africa. The club has since written a letter to his agency informing them of the intention to sue.
The club’s owner, Itzik Nisanov, has also clarified that Xulu’s actions are unforgivable and have spelt the end of his Hapoel career.
“Our defender Siyanda Xulu did something that should not be done. His return to the club is not at all on the agenda. His career at Hapoel Tel Aviv is finished,” Nisanov told Sport5.
Xulu has featured in 18 of Hapoel’s 24 league games this season. His agent who represents him in Israel, Idan Ben Abu, said engagements with the club were ongoing, and a decision would soon be taken.
“The ball is in Hapoel Tel Aviv’s court. No unusual action was taken by Hapoel Tel Aviv or coach Kobi Refuah. After the game, we will reach a decision with the club whether it is the end of communication or if Hapoel Tel Aviv demands, the player will return to Israel immediately and stand before a disciplinary committee.
“The player is aware that if Hapoel demands that he return to Israel and continues to serve the club until the end of the season, he will be required to do so. If not, he will face a lawsuit,” he said.
The 30-year-old centre-back joined the club before the 2020/2021 campaign in his second stint abroad after playing for FC Rostov in Russia. His contract was due to expire at the end of the season with indications that the club was looking to extend it.
Xulu started five of Bafana’s six World Cup qualifiers after getting a recall following his impressive performances in Israel.
