Estonian police tried to question Israeli soccer player Eli Dasa on Saturday over remarks he made recently about his time playing for Russian Premier League club FC Dynamo Moscow.
Two police officers arrived at the hotel in Tallinn where the Israeli national team was staying, seeking to collect a witness statement from Dasa.
According to Ynet News, the Israeli captain received instructions not to meet the law enforcement personnel, who eventually left after Israel Football Association chairman Shino Zuaretz spoke with his Estonian counterpart and other Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) officials.
The unusual incident occurred amid Dasa’s comments from Thursday that stirred controversy in the Baltic nation.
Speaking to the press ahead of Israel’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Estonia, Dasa, 32, was asked for his opinion on making a living in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
“I find myself as an ethical person. I’m really grateful for my years in Russia as a player. I was treated as a footballer and great as a person, so in the end it’s not about political stuff,” Dasa replied.
“I also have to face the fact that people [are] saying, ‘How is it to play in Israel?’ So of course I’m coming from Israel, I’m proud to be Israeli playing in Russia. I’m grateful for my club for treating me as a great athlete, and that’s it. We can move to the next question.”
In the match that followed the next day, Israel defeated Estonia 3 to 1.
During the game, every time Dasa touched the ball, the local crowd responded with loud boos. A large sign against the Israeli right-back was hung in the stadium, with the letter “D” colored in red.
Since last summer, Dasa has been on the lookout for a new club, after FC Dynamo Moscow announced he was leaving the team.