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 injunctions against his business partner of 30 years, Miki Beitan. Kalmanzon accused Beitan and his family of attempting an "unprecedented and illegal extortion and takeover" of the club's bank account.

According to Kalmanzon's statement, Beitan's actions followed a seven-year ban from all sports activities imposed by the Football Association's disciplinary court. Kalmanzon claims that despite this ban and a legal opinion deeming Beitan's involvement with the club illegal, Beitan attempted to present a "fabricated protocol" from a "staged general assembly" to the bank. The alleged purpose was to usurp the club's legal institutions and seize its funds. This action reportedly led the bank to freeze the club's accounts, causing checks to be returned.

Kalmanzon detailed immediate protective measures, including notifying the Football Association, the Budget Control Authority, and the League Management about alleged forgery, exceeding authority, and budgetary damage. He stated his intention to "defend the club by any means possible," remove "negative elements," and protect the club's finances, asserting that "Tiberias is stronger than any politician." He vowed not to rest until the club is returned to a "legal, clean, and safe path."

In response, Miki Beitan told Sport 5, "We are acting in accordance with the law and the association's regulations. Period." He further stated that Beitan "chose to collapse the club financially, endanger its ongoing operations, and directly harm suppliers, players, and staff." Kalmanzon emphasized his personal financial investments and guarantees, amounting to millions of shekels, aimed at bringing Tiberias to the Premier League, and declared he would not permit "a scam," "illegal activity," or an "expelled politician" to empty the club's coffers for personal gain.