'100 days' incident

On 14 January 2024, Yehezkel scored a 68th minute goal in Antalyaspor's Süper Lig match against Trabzonspor. He celebrated by showing writing on a wrist bandage saying "100 days, 7-10", referring to the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas for 100 days since the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.^[17] His actions were condemned by Turkey's Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), and he was suspended by Antalyaspor, while the club's sponsor said his contract should be terminated.^[18] Israeli officials criticised Turkey's actions towards Yehezkel,^[18] who was arrested after the match for what Tunç called "the crime of publicly inciting public hatred and hostility due to his ugly action supporting the massacre committed by Israel in Gaza".^[19] According to local media, Yehezkel protested his innocence saying: "I did not do anything to provoke or provoke anyone. I am not a pro-war person.... The point I wanted to draw attention to was the end of the war."^[19] The player's goal celebration was initially shared on Antalyaspor social media accounts but was later removed.^[20]

On 15 January 2024, after being detained overnight, Yehezkel appeared in court charged with incitement to hatred.^[21] After being released pending trial, Yehezkel and his family flew to Israel,^[21][22] arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.^[23] According to The Guardian, Antalyaspor sacked Yehezkel, accusing him of having "acted against the values of our country";^[17] the BBC confirmed Antalyaspor had sacked him, noting it was unclear if he faced prosecution if he returned to Turkey.^[23] The TFF had referred Yehezkel to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board for potential breaches of Article 42 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction, citing "ideological propaganda", for which an eight-match ban could be imposed and applied worldwide.^[24]