Dolav Haziza Slams Maccabi Haifa Exit, Cites Betrayal by Coach Bacher and Director Refaelov

Dolav Haziza, a prominent player for Maccabi Haifa during their recent championship dynasty, has spoken out about his "betrayal" by the club, specifically naming professional director Lior Refaelov and coach Barak Bachar.

Haziza, 31, revealed in an interview that he felt deeply hurt and blindsided when informed he was no longer in the team's plans. He described his departure as abrupt, stating he "took my things in a bag, said goodbye to players who were close to me, and disappeared," without directly confronting Refaelov or Bachar. He expressed his belief that both men "betrayed" him, stating he lost faith in them and could no longer play for them.

He explained his decision to join Maccabi Netanya, influenced by coach Roni Levy's persistent efforts, despite other offers including some from Europe. Haziza reflected on his time at Maccabi Haifa as the "biggest part of my career" and a dream come true, recalling the excitement of his first day with teammate Yuval Ashkenazi.

Haziza also addressed why he didn't move to Europe like some teammates, mentioning that the club's ownership and management had insisted he was too important to leave. He recounted a conversation with Refaelov towards the end of the season where he offered to leave if he was perceived as the problem, but Refaelov assured him he was not. However, shortly before training camp, he was informed by Refaelov and Bachar that a new player had been signed for his position, leading to his realization that his time was over.

He criticized the club's handling of his departure, particularly a media report released shortly after his meeting, and a subsequent social media post from Refaelov thanking him for his time. Haziza felt this was disrespectful given his seven years of service and wanted to leave on his own terms. He also expressed disappointment in Bachar's lack of direct explanation during their final meeting, especially as he had previously defended Bachar when the coach was fired.

Haziza also touched on the team's decline, attributing it partly to the departure of key players like Dia Saba and Neta Lavie, and the immense pressure from the club's fanbase and media, which he believes negatively impacts player performance.