Israeli Arab soccer superstar Mohammed Abu Fani talks about his decision to leave Israel, dealing with racism, and that Wikipedia mistake about his height ('I’m actually 5 feet 6')
Israeli Arab soccer player Mohammed Abu Fani is used to preparing himself for racist anti-Arab jeers when Maccabi Haifa plays another team. But the taunts of Israeli soccer fans during a recent game still shocked him. This time, he was playing a match against Andorra as part of Israel’s national team. The incident came just before his departure from Maccabi Haifa and Israel in general, heading to Europe to play for a Hungarian team. Haaretz caught up with him in a final interview before he left, in which he told us about his reaction to the jeering, why he’s leaving Maccabi Haifa, being taller than Lionel Messi, and much more.
“What’s up? All good?”
Yeah, friend. First, I want to send you support, with lots of love.
So you’re taller than Messi. 'I actually am. I have a picture, and I’m taller.' Did you stand beside him? Did you check? 'I did, I did. He’s 1.69 meters tall; you can’t see that just by sight.'
“Thank you very much.”
You’ve received a lot of support since the game with Andorra.
“A lot. I felt the team’s togetherness because of this incident. The chairman of the Football Association, Moshe Zuaretz, the team’s coach, Alon Hazan, [former soccer star] Yossi Benayoun, captain Eli Dasa – they all made some very clear, supportive statements. I also received support from a lot of people and fans, not just Maccabi Haifa fans.”
You also heard from politicians, at least from most of them. Culture and Sports Miki Zohar visited you at your house, but National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir didn’t make a sound.
“I hope that in addition to words, there’s also be some action so that things like that don’t happen again. These people can’t keep attending soccer games like everything’s normal.”
You’re still very hurt.
“It was humiliating. I broke down after the game; I was angry, hurt. I couldn’t see how I deserved to be called a terrorist or hear ‘Abu Fani’s dead,’ and being jeered every time I touched the ball. It’s true, I represent the Arab community, but also the entire country. I want the country to go to the next level of the European Soccer Championship. It’s important for our soccer and to me personally.”
Did you anticipate that this would happen? It’s not your first time being jeered and subjected to racist chants.
“I didn’t expect it. The difference is that in league games, I’m ready for it, and I would even prepare myself for it before a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv or Beitar Jerusalem. But there’s a difference between being insulted and demeaned by a rival team’s fans and by the fans of the team you’re playing for. I wanted to believe they’d come to cheer on the national team, not to ruin it. These are small-minded people, and I’ll come out of it stronger.”
Moanes Dabour, another Arab soccer star, didn’t get the kind of support you did. In his case, the racists drew legitimization from things he had written.
My genes didn’t grant me height, and I knew right away that I would have to find other advantages. I knew that if my legs were strong, I could contend with any player.
“Moanes slept in the same room as me, and I knew what he was going through very well. With him, it also happened outside Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium. I always supported him, and it’s a shame that the team lost one of Israel’s best soccer players because of what he went through.”
Your father said you wouldn’t be leaving the national team.
“I need some space to think now; I won’t make any hasty decisions.
But you agree that the national team should no longer host games at Teddy Stadium.”
“Yes, the team shouldn’t host games there if the fans don’t respect each one of the players. Racism is disgusting, and you can’t be tolerant of it.”
Why didn’t you just walk off the field?
“That could have stopped the entire game, and that’s what those racists may have wanted to accomplish, thinking it would damage the Soccer Association and Israeli soccer.”
That’s the thing: in addition to pure racism, there was an attempt to hurt the Soccer Association following the penalty they imposed on Beitar Jerusalem for the events in the State Cup final.
“For a moment, I did think of walking off, but my friends didn’t deserve that; it would have hurt them and the entire team.”
How are you spending your final days before traveling to Hungary?
“Some family, some friends, saying goodbye to people close to me.”
You live with your family in Kafr Qara.
“Yes.”
When I was in the army, I was sent to Firing Zone 109, right in the middle of the village.
“Yes, we have an army base close by.”
I felt really bad about it then, having a firing range right inside a village where people live.
“It’s not easy. Life isn’t easy. We deal with it and don’t get so upset about it anymore. But yes, we do hear gunfire, even while sleeping. I’m not saying it’s OK, but in the end, it’s all about getting used to it; this is what you have. “
You grew up in Maccabi Haifa, but you started your career as a loan to another team. I still remember you in the second-tier league, with Dolev Haziza and Ofri Arad, during the season you were almost relegated.
“Yeah, I was loaned to another team when I stopped playing in the junior league. It wasn’t a good year for me or the team, but we didn’t drop to a lower league in the end. Despite the poor season, I felt I was ready for the Premier League. I’m glad the Hadera team took a risk and believed in me. They let me play rather than left sitting on the bench during the seasons I was there.”
How was your return to Maccabi Haifa in January 2019?
“It’s not easy to move from a defensive team that plays without pressure, one that gave me a lot of confidence, to a team under pressure, with masses of fans. I didn’t do well in crossing over; I wasn’t prepared for it professionally and mentally. I didn’t play much under [manager] Marco Balbul; I had a lot of problems with him. It’s a good thing that I returned to Hadera for one more season. I assumed a leadership role there, and we could have made the playoffs if we hadn’t lost to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the final round. I felt I was ready to return to Maccabi Haifa through the front door to prove myself to the club and fans.”
A front door that led to three championships.
“A dream that just suddenly came true. I got there together with coach Barak Bachar and his team. Three championships, a goal in the preliminary games in the EuroLeague championship, a game against Tottenham, being called to the national team, and the round-robin stage of the Champions League. Those were three crazy years that were very significant for my career.”
You mentioned the game against Tottenham; the video showing you cursing player Harry Kane reached the entire world.
“I made a small mistake there. I really wanted to enjoy the occasion and maybe cause a sensation, but dreams and reality did not align. It was more than we could handle, but I’m happy that a year later, we participated in a European competition, playing in the Conference League, and a year later reaching the round-robin stage of the Champions League, which is the biggest stage.”
Were you angry when the video came out?
“Yes, I was. I didn’t expect a thing like that to get out; it was said behind closed doors as part of the kidding around after a game. It turned out well since I learned a lesson.
It may have influenced the result; they were bent on destroying you.
“It was a very important game for them; they would have defeated us with or without that video.”
Do you know which of your moves on the field will be most remembered, one that reached the entire world?
“No.”
You dragging out time near the corner flag in the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“It’s not something I planned, but you should remember a lot of other ones, ones I’m proud of. I played for Haifa for three years, fulfilling my dream of playing in their senior team, winning championships, and then playing in Europe.”
But that wasting of time was a kind of world record. Is that something you practice for?
“No, and I didn’t think it would be that long. It turned out that way, with a lot of luck. I make good use of my advantages; that’s what makes me stand out.”
You’re not that tall; according to what I read, you’re 1.64 meters [5 feet 4] tall.
“First of all, I’m 1.70 [5 feet 6].”
OK, so I’m demanding that Wikipedia fix that right away.
“I’ve been trying to do that for a year to no avail. I’d be happy if you could do it.”
Let’s make an official request to the Wikipedia court; they can’t take six centimeters from you.
“It’s a lot.”
So you’re taller than Messi.
“I actually am. I have a picture, and I’m taller.”
Did you stand beside him? Did you check?
“I did, I did. He’s 1.69 meters tall; you can’t see that just by sight.”
In any case, you’re not tall. You wouldn’t see Messi forcefully guarding the ball that way. You have a strong body relative to your height.
“My genes didn’t grant me height, and I knew right away that I would have to find other advantages. I knew that if my legs were strong, I could contend with any player, bringing the strength from below, even against players who are taller than me. I’ve worked on my legs like crazy all my life, and it’s benefited me.”
The Hungarian team you’re joining, Ferencvarosi, wears green – so you should feel at home, at least in that respect.
“Yes, it’s green and white. I’m staying with the color I love and won’t have to get used to other colors.”
The issue bothering Maccabi Haifa fans is whether they could have kept you on with a salary increase instead of selling you?
“Yes, if they had offered me a promotion, I would have stayed. But we didn’t even come close to the numbers I had in mind. So, I can’t answer that question because it didn’t happen.”
So they did talk to you about a new contract, but not a realistic salary?
“They talked about numbers slightly higher than my current salary.
Which isn’t high, certainly not in comparison to other team players, and not commensurate with your status as a player on the national team.”
Yes.
Isn’t that somewhat insulting? Do you feel a lack of appreciation?
“It does hurt a little, I can’t deny it, but the club has its own considerations. It’s a big club with the best management in Israel, with an incredible manager I owe so much to. I’m happy I grew up in such a club, with values already laid down for the youngest players at the age of 7, whereby you don’t discriminate based on race, gender, or religion. The considerations of the club and a player don’t always match.”
These are no longer your concerns, but fans are worried about an end to the “dynasty” after you depart, with the departures of player Omer Atzili and coach Barak Bachar, leaving behind an inexperienced coach such as Messay Dego.
“Maccabi Haifa is a great club, a very powerful system that will continue the dynasty. The goals will never change, to compete for every title till the end. The club is greater than any player or coach. They’ll bring in new players and foster others. I’m not worried about Maccabi Haifa and its future.”
What’s the secret behind Barak Bachar’s charm?
“He’s currently the best coach in Israel, possibly the best ever in this country. There are receipts. He wins every championship possible. He knows how to manage the excellent team he has built around himself. They’re all top-notch, and that’s the secret. They always keep you in suspense, in the highest level of preparedness, demanding the maximum possible from you. They don’t concede any move in training or during a game. They insist you stay in top form, giving you the tools to get there.”
Ferencvaros is a financial upgrade, but it’s not clear that it’s a professional one.
“It’s the biggest club in Hungary, a European club at the same level as Maccabi Haifa. I think this is the best move for me, to experience Europe. I am mentally and professionally prepared. The main goal of Ferencvaros is to reach the round-robin stage of the Championship League tournament. They’re building a solid team that can do it.”
Budapest is a great city, with lots of tourists from Israel.
“I expect to see Maccabi Haifa fans in Hungary. Anyone who comes is invited with lots of love, not just our fans.”
What’s the moment you will cherish the most from the last three years?
“The home game against Paris Saint Germain. It was my best game on the European stage. It’s fun to play against the best players in the world.”
You managed to tackle and take the ball from Niemayer, Messi and Mbappe. Did that game pave your way to Europe?
“Yes, I know it was a game that made an impression, showing that I’m capable of contending with the best players in the world. In the end, their capability was decisive, but I’m glad we gave them a real fight and managed to perturb them a little.”
A message for your fans?
“Maccabi Haifa has a fantastic fanbase. It’s in my heart and I really enjoyed having them. They helped and supported me in less good moments. The relationship was incredible. I only want to thank them.”
Thanks to you as well.
“Thanks, man.”