Israeli Soccer League Schedule Sparks Outcry From Religious Fans

The Israeli Premier League football management has released its schedule for matches 4 through 15, drawing criticism for scheduling games on the Sabbath, which alienates observant Jewish fans. While some mid-week and early weekend games allow for attendance, several key matches are set to begin shortly before the Sabbath ends or during its observance.

Matchday 9 features a Saturday afternoon game at 3:00 PM between Beitar Jerusalem and Kiryat Shmona at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, concluding around the end of the Sabbath. This decision is particularly contentious as other major teams play on Sunday and Monday of that week, suggesting the Jerusalem game could have been rescheduled.

Further conflicts arise in Matchday 10, with Maccabi Tel Aviv hosting Maccabi Petah Tikva on Friday at 2:00 PM, less than three hours before the Sabbath begins. In Matchday 11, Hapoel Tel Aviv faces Maccabi Petah Tikva at the same time on Friday. Maccabi Haifa's game against Bnei Sakhnin in Matchday 13 is also scheduled for a Saturday afternoon start at 3:00 PM in Sakhnin.

Observant fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Netanya, Hapoel Haifa, and Hapoel Tel Aviv will also be unable to attend their respective teams' Saturday afternoon games in Matchdays 13, 14, and 15, as these matches are scheduled to start at 3:00 PM, well within the Sabbath hours.

The scheduling has led to accusations that the league is disregarding a significant portion of its fanbase, echoing sentiments from a song by Israeli artist Arik Einstein about the hardships faced by fans.