Israeli Football Club Agrees to Pay Former Manager $210,000 in Legal Fees

The Israeli Supreme Court has approved a settlement of 805,000 shekels (approximately $210,000) in legal fees for Shlomo Nes, who managed the financial affairs of the Maccabi Bnei Raina football club for two years. The decision was reached with the consent of the parties involved, despite reservations from the Registrar of Associations and the Official Receiver.

Nes had initially requested 1 million shekels, arguing that based on the club's 69 million shekel revenue during his tenure, his fee should have been 2.5 million shekels according to standard rates for insolvency professionals. He stated that while he had received court-approved advances of 700,000 shekels, he had only been paid 500,000 shekels, leaving a balance of 590,000 shekels. Nes also claimed his monthly fee should be 49,000 shekels but he was willing to accept 40,000 shekels.

The club, however, appealed the lower court's decision to award Nes an additional 250,000 shekels, bringing his total to 916,000 shekels. The club argued that Nes had already received an excessive amount and that the additional payment would severely impact its already significant budget deficit. They contended that Nes was only entitled to 220,000 shekels, asserting he inflated the club's income figures by including all revenue streams rather than just those from ticket sales and subscriptions, and that he did not achieve the proper management certification himself.

The Supreme Court, seeking to avoid further lengthy proceedings, recommended a compromise. The final settlement of 805,000 shekels, plus VAT, was agreed upon by the parties, representing a figure between the club's and Nes's initial positions. The club, which operates a football club for Arab citizens in Israel and fields teams from youth to the top league (currently in the second tier), hopes to be able to meet this payment despite its financial struggles.