Maccabi Tel Aviv Refuses to Pay League Fine for Player's Goal Celebration

Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced its intention not to pay a 10,000 shekel fine imposed by the league administration following a goal celebration by player Osher Davida during a derby match against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The club expressed "shock" at the fine, stating that Davida's "pew pew" gesture is a regular celebration for him and not unusual in football.

Maccabi Tel Aviv sent a sharp letter to the league chairman, Erez Kalfon, rejecting the description of the event and the conclusions drawn from it. The club argued that celebrating a goal in front of opposing fans is not uncommon and that Davida's celebration did not involve any vulgarity, profanity, or violence. They pointed out that the player had already received a yellow card for his actions during the game.

The club further contested the league's assertion that the celebration led to significant disturbances in the stands, calling this claim factually incorrect. Maccabi Tel Aviv stated that even if disturbances occurred, the club or player should not be held responsible for the behavior of fans, emphasizing that responsibility lies with those who engage in misconduct.

Maccabi Tel Aviv believes the league's attempt to link a routine goal celebration to a fine for damaging the league's image is unreasonable and unjustified. The club maintains that creating a causal link between a legitimate goal celebration and crowd disturbances is an unacceptable conclusion.