Maccabi Haifa Signs Andrea Novakovich Amid South Korean Club's Claims of Contract Snatch

Maccabi Haifa announced on July 18, 2026, that it had reached an agreement with Serbian-American forward Andrea Novakovich. However, South Korean media reported that Novakovich was on the verge of joining Suwon FC, with most contract details already agreed upon and the club preparing to send him a draft contract. Following Haifa's official announcement, Suwon decided to withdraw from the deal, and the player's agency confirmed the collapse of negotiations. Suwon stated it had canceled the signing process after discovering a potential double contract situation, despite having sent an official letter to Novakovich a day before Haifa's announcement. South Korean reports accused Maccabi Haifa of "stealing" Novakovich from Suwon, describing the move as a sports snatch. This incident has sparked controversy and debate in South Korea regarding the ethics of the transfer.