Footballer Suspect’s Detention Extended, Family Says He Hopes to Return to Routine

A Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court extended the detention of a footballer suspected in several offenses until Monday, to allow additional investigative steps. On Monday, he is expected to move to full house arrest and be barred from contacting anyone connected to the case.

The player continues to deny during questioning that he had any part in the affair or ever tried to fix a match. He received a morale boost on Thursday when the court allowed him to see his parents via a screen.

People in his circle told Sports Channel that they are trying to help him get back to normal life as soon as possible. “We promised him we would do everything so he can return to football routine quickly,” they said. “We all hope this nightmare will end soon.”

The player still has a contract with his club, but the team told him before his arrest that he was free to look for another club. Several teams had shown interest in him before the arrest, and are now waiting for him to be cleared of the affair.