Oday Dabbagh will be a Charleroi player next summer, but the story behind his signing for the Belgian side isn’t one of the nicest stories from this year’s January transfer deadline day.
Destination: 🇧🇪
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) February 1, 2023
🇵🇸International striker Oday Dabbagh moved from Arouca to @SportCharleroi. Had an excellent start to the season in Portugal and will try to do the same in Belgium. @Levyninho saw his talent as a kid in Jerusalem and wrote about ithttps://t.co/3CHCTFmf8d pic.twitter.com/vn43hRNveJ
Why?
Dabbagh is playing for Portuguese side Arouca, having the best season of his career.
He has, so far, scored ten goals in 17 matches this season, and multiple clubs took an interest in the Palestinian.
His contract expires at the end of the season and, allegedly, Arouca tried to force him to renew it.
How?
Against Sporting in the League Cup a week ago, Dabbagh scored, was one of the best players on the pitch and was substituted.
He was left out of the squad for Arouca’s game against Benfica, which took place on deadline day.
For the outsider, it may seem that the club is trying to force the player to renew his contract via the old ‘you won’t renew, you won't play’ method.
Eyewitnesses have reported that he was even physically prevented from entering the stadium to watch the game.
To repeat, the club’s best player, and one of the main reasons they’re currently seventh in the league and beaten semi-finalists of the League Cup, wasn’t allowed in the stadium.
At the same time, the club reportedly demanded exaggerated sums for Dabbagh from Charleroi, who wanted to snap him up this window.
Finally, a deal was signed, but only for the summer, and now it is unclear how the rest of his season, his best so far, will unfold.
This story comes as a good reminder of what’s going on behind the scenes in the flashy and shiny football transfer market.
While everyone speaks about the big name moves - Enzo Fernandez and such - remember there are thousands of deadline-day stories like Dabbagh’s.
Stories of clubs ‘playing dirty’ and preventing them from progressing and fulfilling their dreams.
Edited by Alex Smith
🇵🇸Oday Dabbagh continues with his excellent form, temporary equalized for Arouca against Sporting SC in the 🇵🇹 League Cup semi-final, but in the end it was Sporting who won 2-1 and advanced to the finalpic.twitter.com/R7iL1kcF2m
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) January 24, 2023
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Nigeria’s Mavlon academy to Viktoria Plzeň and the Europa League dream: Salim Fago’s journey is just beginning in Europe.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.