Eyal Berkovic Recounts Antisemitic Abuse in Football Dressing Rooms

Former Israeli football star Eyal Berkovic revealed on Israel's Channel 13 that he faced significant antisemitic abuse from Muslim teammates during his time playing in England, particularly at Manchester City. Berkovic, who was often the only Jewish player on his teams, described being blamed by Muslim players for terrorist attacks during periods of heightened conflict, including the Second Intifada. He recounted incidents where he would enter the dressing room and be told that attacks like the Park Hotel bombing were 'because of us' (Jews), leading to frequent arguments.

Berkovic stated that the political climate and the resulting prejudice were the worst experiences of his football career. He recalled one specific instance where he argued with teammates over his position on the field, as the team's star player, who was Muslim, was benched. This political tension extended beyond his immediate teammates, as Berkovic also mentioned that Celtic, a team with a large Irish fanbase, harbored animosity towards Israel, attributing this partly to an Irish coach he had who also expressed hatred towards Israelis.

The controversy surrounding the Ireland national football team's recent match against Israel, which led to the team's press conference being postponed, prompted Berkovic's reflections. He contrasted the off-field animosity with the on-field competition, stating that 'everyone wants to win' once the game begins.