After Anan Khalaili’s aspirations of joining Inter were dashed due to a failed medical examination that revealed some irregularities, he turned to the Quran for solace and guidance.
The Arab-Israeli footballer had been in Italy for the past week, undergoing numerous tests, including club-level assessments, to finalize his €30 million transfer from Union Saint-Gilloise.
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Reasons for Khalaili’s Transfer Denial
On October 01, 2025, Anan Khalaili appeared visibly distraught while playing for Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Champions League match against Newcastle United FC at the RSC Anderlecht Stadium (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images).
A crucial requirement for athletes looking to compete in Italy is obtaining a health certificate from CONI (Italian Olympic Committee), which enforces stricter health regulations than many other nations. These regulations necessitate rigorous cardiac stress tests, and irregularities in Khalaili’s results prevented him from securing the necessary clearance to play in Italian football.
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Khalaili will now head back to Union Saint-Gilloise for more medical evaluations to determine if he requires any further treatment or investigation.
Khalaili shared his thoughts in an Instagram story, depicting him in prayer alongside a Quranic verse: “Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you, and like something which is bad for you.”
Anan Khalaili in prayer following his unsuccessful medical with Inter (Instagram Stories).
The remainder of the verse serves as a reminder that “Allah knows and you do not know”, indicating his hope that God has a purpose for this unexpected turn in his life and career.
On April 18, 2026, Edoardo Bove of Watford showcases his skills during the Sky Bet Championship match against Sheffield United at Vicarage Road in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
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The fitness regulations in Italy are incredibly stringent, which has led to players like Edoardo Bove and Christian Eriksen to seek to continue their careers elsewhere after being denied in Serie A.
While other leagues might permit players to have implanted defibrillators, Italian laws do not allow for such measures.