Hapoel Be'er Sheva Owner Slams Football Association Official Over Conflict of Interest

Alona Barkat, owner of Hapoel Be'er Sheva Football Club, has launched a sharp public attack against Moran Meiri, the deputy chairman of the Israel Football Association and legal advisor for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Barkat posted two video clips of Meiri from podcasts, criticizing his perceived conflict of interest. She stated, "To the dear Moran Meiri who lectures everyone on proper corporate governance, resign from your position as deputy chairman of the association, because in proper corporate governance, a club representative cannot serve as chairman or deputy chairman of the association." She highlighted Meiri's statements where he seemed to acknowledge serving Maccabi Tel Aviv's interests while also claiming to represent the public that elected him, quoting the Hebrew proverb "He who disqualifies with his own flaw, disqualifies himself."

In one clip from the "Legends of Tomorrow" podcast, Meiri discussed his influence and inability to achieve a draw, stating, "You ask me, is there a conflict of interest here? Could I be serving Maccabi Tel Aviv in this matter? Well, that's how it should be, you serve the same public that sent you."

In another clip from "KikTalk from Beit All-In," Meiri discussed club allegiances, noting that most major clubs supported his faction except for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, which he described as the "faction leader of the other side." He expressed disagreement with Be'er Sheva's approach to "gatekeepers, courts, judges, and national teams," advocating for sterile processes. Meiri proposed that any board member contacting the chairman of the referees' association, a prosecutor, or similar figures should face disciplinary action themselves, lamenting that "in practice, things happen that are less than state-like and more reminiscent of other fields trying to bring that into football, unfortunately." He attributed this to sporting rivalry and a difference in worldview.