"Isn't this supposed to be a big club?": Maccabi Tel Aviv demands Abu Farhi waive half a million dollars

Behind-the-scenes drama in the transfer of Sayed Abu Farhi to the Colorado Rapids, first revealed on ynet: the young striker's representatives claim that Maccabi Tel Aviv conditioned the deal with the MLS club on the player waiving about half a million dollars owed to him under his contract. Abu Farhi, who started last night in his final appearance for the 'yellows' in the victory over Maccabi Netanya in the Toto Cup semi-final, has a clause in his contract entitling him to 17.5% of his sale amount. Since Colorado submitted an offer of 6 million dollars, the striker was supposed to receive a bonus of 1.05 million dollars.

Maccabi initially demanded that he waive the entire amount, but after firm opposition from the player's family, a compromise was reached: Abu Farhi will settle for only 10% (600 thousand dollars) and waive 450 thousand dollars, ensuring Maccabi nets 5.4 million dollars from the deal.

"Maccabi obviously demands that every player stand by his contract, but it, for its part, tries to take money that belongs to its players — and not just because, since most of the time these are low contracts like in the case of Abu Farhi and it is a kind of compensation," said one of the Maccabi Tel Aviv players. "Just like they asked of Dor Turgeman, and now of Roy Revivo regarding Elche. Isn't this supposed to be a big club?"

Abu Farhi, who is expected to quadruple his salary in the USA to about 450 thousand dollars per season in the first two years, did not want to jeopardize his move and agreed to waive about half of the original bonus. Now, just like in the case of Dor Turgeman, the striker is waiting to receive his visa to the USA, and immediately afterwards he will fly out to undergo medical examinations and sign officially.