Chaim Revivo Explains Son's Transfer, Criticizes Maccabi Tel Aviv

Former Israeli football star Chaim Revivo revealed the difficult circumstances surrounding his son Roy's transfer to Spanish club Elche, speaking on the "Five on Air" program. Revivo stated that he ultimately relinquished his percentage of the player's rights to facilitate the move, a decision he felt was necessary because Maccabi Tel Aviv, Roy's former club, did not uphold a promise made when the player was 18 to help him move to a top European league.

Revivo explained that Maccabi Tel Aviv initially wanted Roy to move to one of the "top five leagues" and claimed they would do everything to make it happen. However, when the opportunity arose with Elche, the club's demands for a transfer fee were deemed unreasonable for an Israeli player, leading Revivo to believe he had to make a sacrifice. "If I hadn't given up my percentages, Roy wouldn't have moved to Elche," he stated, emphasizing that he expected Maccabi Tel Aviv to honor their word, just as he had kept his promises.

He recounted early discussions with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he was assured of support for his son's European aspirations. Revivo felt the club's stance changed when Roy's performance escalated, leading to unrealistic financial expectations. He also addressed claims of no official offer, explaining that negotiations typically don't formalize until an agreement on terms is reached. Revivo contrasted Maccabi Tel Aviv's approach with that of Yaakov Shahar at Maccabi Haifa, whom he considers to view players as individuals and support their career advancement.

Despite the transfer saga, Revivo expressed pride in his son's quick adaptation to La Liga, acknowledging the challenges of a new league, language, and teammates. He noted Roy's impressive performance, including two assists in a recent match, and highlighted the positive reception he received in Elche. Revivo also reflected on his past efforts to improve youth development in Israel, believing that early structured programs laid the groundwork for the current generation of players.