Club Official Seeks Court Order Against Business Partner Amid Financial Dispute

Arie Kalmanzon, an official associated with the Hapoel Ironi Tiberias football club, announced on Monday that he has filed an urgent request with the court for restraining orders against his business partner of 30 years, Miki Beitan. Kalmanzon accused Beitan and his family of attempting an "unprecedented" illegal takeover of the club's bank account.

According to Kalmanzon's statement, Beitan's actions followed a seven-year ban from all football activities imposed by the Football Association's disciplinary court. Kalmanzon claims that despite the association's clarification that Beitan's involvement with the club's non-profit organization is illegal, Beitan attempted to submit a "fabricated protocol" from a "staged general assembly" to the bank. This, Kalmanzon alleges, was intended to strip the legal institutions of the organization of their authority and seize the club's funds, resulting in the bank freezing the organization's activities and causing checks to be returned.

Kalmanzon stated that urgent notices have been sent to the Football Association, the Budget Control Authority, and the League Management regarding Beitan's alleged forgery, exceeding authority, and budgetary damage. He vowed to continue defending the club by any means necessary, remove negative elements, and protect its finances, asserting that "Tiberias is stronger than any operator."

In response, Miki Beitan told Sport Channel 5, "We are acting in accordance with the law and the association's regulations. Period." Beitan further stated that he would not allow a banned operator to empty the club's coffers for personal needs, accusing Kalmanzon of choosing to financially collapse the club, endanger its operations, and harm suppliers, players, and staff. Beitan highlighted his personal investments and guarantees, amounting to millions of shekels, aimed at bringing Tiberias to the Premier League.