Anan Khalaili has hit back at Inter and the Italian authorities after they blocked his transfer from Union Saint-Gilloise due to a failed medical. ‘I played 99 games the last two years.’
The two clubs had agreed everything for the move at €25m plus €5m in add-ons, and he passed the Inter medical with no problems.
However, the Italian rules mean there are very strict checks on cardiac function, and some irregularities were flagged.
When these were confirmed in another set of scans, he was not given the all-clear to play in Serie A, so the transfer had to be abandoned.
The Israeli international returned to training with Union Saint-Gilloise and sent some messages to the Italian authorities.
Khalaili defends his fitness levels
“I always focused on my career, I always believed, and I will give my best,” Khalaili told the club channels.
“I feel good, I feel healthy, I feel perfect. I am ready to play and to train hard, give my best, 100 per cent. I played 99 games in the last two years, and I played almost 90 minutes every game.
“I feel very good, I feel top!”
Happy to be on the pitch.
pic.twitter.com/Eq4NNKA1Sa
— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) July 23, 2026
The sentiment was undeniable, but the Italian rules are far stricter than any other nation when it comes to checking cardiac function.
This is also why players like Edoardo Bove and Christian Eriksen, who have implanted defibrillators, are not allowed to play in Italy, so had to continue their careers in England.
It is also not up to Inter, but to the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee), who would not release the necessary certificate to allow Khalaili to play.
