Portuguese winger Rafa Silva has reportedly told Besiktas management he will refuse to play for the club as long as head coach Sergen Yalcin remains in charge, signaling a potential departure in the upcoming transfer window.
The dispute emerged after Silva was unexpectedly excluded from Besiktas’s squad for a recent Turkish Super Lig match against Antalyaspor. Initial assumptions of an injury were quickly dispelled by Turkish media.
According to Turkish outlet ‘Fanatik’, Silva’s absence stemmed from a heated verbal altercation with Coach Yalcin. The 31-year-old former Benfica star reportedly stated his refusal to wear the club’s jersey under Yalcin’s command.
Silva has since informed the Istanbul club’s board of his decision. Discussions suggest a move to Saudi Arabia is a strong possibility during the January transfer window.
This current confrontation is not an isolated incident. Coach Yalcin publicly criticized Silva’s performance in a press conference approximately two weeks prior.
Silva’s dissatisfaction also reportedly extends to the club’s overall sporting performance. Besiktas failed to qualify for European competitions last season.
The team currently holds sixth place in the Turkish Super Lig with 20 points. They are nine points behind current league leader Galatasaray.