Munas Dabbur is moving to the United Arab Emirates

Munas Dabbur leaves TSG Hoffenheim for Dubai. As the club announced on Wednesday, the former Israel international is moving to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. But in 2017 he had not received a visa in the UAE.

At that time, Dabbur played for RB Salzburg. His club wanted to organize a training camp in Dubai in January 2017 – but despite allegedly submitting a visa application on time, the Israeli Dabbur was refused entry. No reason was officially given, but it can be assumed that his Israeli citizenship was the reason. The fact that Dabbur, as a Muslim Israeli, belongs to a religious minority that is the majority in the UAE did not change that.

Because the two states were long considered enemies for political reasons. The fact that Dabbur is now allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates and even play there is due to a peace treaty between Israel and the UAE brokered by the USA in 2020. Since then, people have become closer and diplomatic relations have been established.

Hoffenheim said goodbye to the 31-year-old with quite critical tones. With his 29 competitive goals, Dabbur has “proven his goal risk time and again”, TSG managing director Alexander Rosen is quoted as saying in a press release: “Nevertheless, looking at such a talented player at the end of the common path, there is also a feeling that more would have been possible.” Nevertheless, you could “rely on him at all times,” Rosen said.

The Kraichgauers did not provide any information on the transfer fee, the striker’s contract originally ran until 2024. Dabbur previously played for Hoffenheim for three and a half years and played 99 competitive games after moving from the Spanish first division club FC Sevilla to the Kraichgau in January 2020.