Omer Dahan, the forward owned by Maccabi Haifa and loaned last season to Hapoel Ra'anana, said on Monday that he is the player arrested in the football match-fixing investigation that surfaced last week. His statement came after Israeli police said they had detained a player from one of the country's biggest clubs as part of a probe into a gang from Migdal HaEmek.
In an Instagram story, Dahan wrote, “I was arrested. I have no connection to the allegations.” He said he wanted to address the public directly after his name was linked to the suspicions, adding that football is the center of his life and that he understands the responsibility that comes with the profession.
Dahan denied the allegations in full, saying he had “no connection whatsoever” to claims of match fixing or game selling. He said the accusations do not reflect who he is or how he has acted over the years, and insisted he had never harmed any team he played for, but had always acted with dedication, commitment and respect.
He also apologized to football fans, sports lovers and professionals for the distress caused by the reports, and said he respects the legal process and is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities. Dahan asked the public and the media not to rush to judgment, and said he hopes the truth will emerge soon so he can return to playing. He added that he has gone through difficult personal and financial periods and that his family has battled a complex reality over the years.
