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 decision, stating that Davida's "pew pew" gesture is a regular celebration for him and not intended to provoke opposing fans.

Maccabi Tel Aviv sent a sharp letter to the league chairman, Erez Kalfon, rejecting the characterization of the event and the conclusions drawn from it. The club argued that goal celebrations in front of opposing fans are common in football worldwide, including in high-stakes matches, and that Davida's specific celebration is not unusual.

The team emphasized that Davida did not engage in any obscene gestures, curses, offensive remarks, or violent behavior, and that he was already cautioned with a yellow card by the referee during the game. They deemed the league's attempt to label the celebration as damaging to the league's image, warranting an additional financial penalty, as "unreasonable and completely unjustified."

Furthermore, Maccabi Tel Aviv strongly refuted the league's claim that the celebration led to significant disturbances in the stands. The club asserted that there is no factual basis for holding a player or club responsible for fan behavior simply because a player celebrated a goal near the stands, stating that responsibility for violence or rioting lies with those who engage in it.