Maccabi Tel Aviv Leaves Lone Walker Out of Finals Squad Amid Contract Questions

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv open the Israeli league playoff final tonight, Tuesday at 8:50 p.m., at Menora Mivtachim Arena, where Maccabi will host the first game. About 9,000 fans are expected, and one of the spectators will be Maccabi star Lone Walker, who was surprisingly left off the match roster by the coaching staff.

The decision came after Walker refused to play in Game 1 of the semifinal series against Hapoel Holon, saying he had not slept because of changes in Home Front Command instructions and missile fire from Iran. He also did not even come to the arena, unlike Oshae Brissett, who also declined to play but still attended and sat on the bench. In Games 2 and 3 of that series, coach Oded Kattash already chose not to register Walker.

Walker responded on Instagram, saying, “I chose to sit out one game,” adding that the decision was made during sirens and rocket attacks and insisting, “These are all decisions of the coach, not mine.” He later wrote that he loves Maccabi and its fans, said this was the second time he had dealt with missiles in two different countries, and denied acting out of fear: “If I was really afraid, I would have gone home.” He also complained of “behind-the-scenes” issues and rejected being portrayed as “the villain.”

Maccabi’s explanation is that Tamir Blatt’s calf injury in Game 2 against Holon, described as a small tear, forced a professional decision, and Jimmy Clark had to be registered in Walker’s place. The club has repeatedly said Walker has a guaranteed contract for next season and is expected to stay, but sources now say Maccabi may try to find a team willing to take on his large deal, worth about $2.2 million per season. If that happens, Maccabi may have to cover part of his salary, creating a potential financial loss. On the Hapoel side, Tai Odiase was registered after being hurt in the semifinal against Hapoel Jerusalem, while Dan Oturu, who returned to Israel yesterday after more than six weeks away from team training, was not registered.