League Directorate to Deduct Fine from Maccabi Tel Aviv Funds Despite Protest

The Israel Football Association's League Directorate will deduct a 10,000 shekel fine from Maccabi Tel Aviv's funds, overriding the club's demand to cancel the penalty. Maccabi Tel Aviv had sent a letter to the Directorate, which was leaked to the press, demanding the immediate cancellation of the fine. The penalty was imposed by League Directorate Chairman Erez Kalfon following a goal celebration by player Ohad Davida during the team's 4-1 derby victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Davida ran towards the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans and celebrated provocatively, an act the Directorate described as "deliberate and blatant provocation and taunting of the opposing team's fans." The Directorate also claimed Davida's behavior led to significant disturbances in the stands and posed a risk of escalation.

Maccabi Tel Aviv reacted sharply, calling the Directorate's decision "populist behavior" and stating they would not pay the fine, even threatening legal action if the decision was not reversed. However, the Directorate clarified that, similar to fines levied against other clubs for damaging the league's image, payment is not actively made by the club. Instead, the amount is automatically deducted from the club's account with the Directorate.

"Maccabi threatens not to pay the fine. That's nice for the fans, but in practice, we deduct it from the amounts due to them from the Directorate," a source within the Directorate stated. Given this established procedure, it remains to be seen whether Maccabi Tel Aviv will proceed with its threat of legal action.