Basketball Association Gives Ofer Yannay 48 Hours to Retract Alleged Defamation

The Israel Basketball Association has sent a pre-lawsuit warning to Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yannay over a video he posted, accusing him of defamation and of publishing false and damaging claims. The association, through attorney Yodan Koritzki, says Yannay must apologize within 48 hours or face legal action.

The dispute centers on a video circulated on June 17, one day after the first game of the playoff final between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv. In the letter, the association quoted Yannay saying that a decision by the league establishment forced a replay game, and that after an incident involving a 71-year-old Jewish man, the association’s prosecutor believed the wrong person was being put on trial instead of the players who attacked him.

The association rejected those claims outright, calling them a total lie. Koritzki wrote that, contrary to Yannay’s remarks, the association’s disciplinary prosecutor did not bring charges against that fan and had no authority to do so, making Yannay’s statements a “blatant smear” and “falsehood.” He also said Yannay would not be able to rely on defenses such as truth or good faith under Israel’s libel law, and alleged the remarks were made with intent to harm.

The association ordered Yannay to remove the video and any other publication containing the comments from all platforms, publish a public apology in the same places and in an association-approved wording, and avoid any future posts that could damage the reputation of the association and its employees. If he does not comply within 48 hours, the association says it will pursue civil damages under the 1965 Anti-Libel Law and may also seek disciplinary proceedings. Yannay had not responded at the time of publication.