Amedspor Chairman Explains Dia Saba Jersey Number Controversy After Turkish League Win

Three days after Amedspor's 3-0 victory over Erzurumspor in the Turkish league opener, the celebration by Israeli player Dia Saba continues to stir local media attention. Saba scored two goals in the match and celebrated by signaling the number 10 with his hands, which sparked an internal dispute within the club regarding his jersey number. Following the departure of Cekdar Orhan this summer, the number 10 jersey became available and was highly sought after by Saba, one of the team's key players.

According to reports on amedtv, the celebration caused turmoil because Saba had officially requested to wear the iconic number 10 jersey, but the club management rejected his request. The number was promised to Samuel Ballet, a Swiss winger acquired for 1.6 million euros from Antalyaspor. Saba's message extended beyond the field; he posted the gesture on Instagram after the game and again in his story with the caption "10."

In response, Amedspor chairman Nahit Eran addressed the controversy, explaining that during negotiations for Ballet's transfer, the club received a request from Ballet's mother to assign him the number 10 jersey. Eran acknowledged that the club may have hurt or offended Saba, attributing the issue partly to a lack of understanding of how important the number was to him. The club's explanation highlights the complexities behind jersey number assignments and player sentiments in professional football.