Refereeing Controversies Mar Maccabi Tel Aviv's Win Over Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a 4-1 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Monday, but the match was overshadowed by significant refereeing decisions, particularly concerning two penalty calls.

The first controversial incident involved a penalty awarded to Maccabi Tel Aviv's Ester Sokoler. While Sokoler was fouled by Hapoel Be'er Sheva goalkeeper Ofir Marciano, the referee, Yigal Fried, should have delayed his whistle. This is because the ball went to Dor Peretz, who scored a field goal during the same play. According to the referees' association guidelines, the whistle should be held in such situations to allow play to continue, and if a field goal is scored, it should be allowed. However, Fried blew for the penalty before Peretz scored, invalidating the goal.

VAR referee Niv Steif reviewed the incident and confirmed the foul on Sokoler, upholding Fried's penalty decision. Had Steif not identified a penalty, Maccabi Tel Aviv would have lost both Peretz's legitimate goal and the penalty opportunity. The ensuing penalty was converted by Sokoler.

Earlier in the game, during a corner kick for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Iyad Abu Abaid appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area. Fried did not call a penalty, and Steif, after reviewing the play on VAR, decided not to intervene and recommend a penalty for Hapoel Be'er Sheva. This incident will be reviewed by the professional committee, which is expected to rule on whether Hapoel Be'er Sheva was wronged.