Following the violent incidents in the State Cup final, several players from Hapoel Beersheba and Maccabi Tel Aviv were hit with mass suspensions, and both clubs appeared before the Israel Football Association disciplinary court on Wednesday to try to reduce the punishment. The focus was on Hapoel Beersheba striker Samir Farhud, who received a six-match ban. The club is also represented in the case by attorney Roy Rosen, while the association’s prosecutor is attorney Gilad Bergman.
Farhud admitted responsibility and apologized. “I take full responsibility and I apologize. I went onto the pitch because the security guards allowed us,” he said. He described the clash with Christian Blitz, saying, “I ran toward it because I saw everyone there.”
Farhud insisted the confrontation escalated after Blitz grabbed him. “If I had hit Blitz, he would not have come out of it like that,” he said. “Blitz choked me, I do not know how I lifted him. Anyone in my place would have done the same.”
The article also notes that the club presented additional versions of the events from Mohammed Abu Romi and Zahi Ahmed. Ahmed said, “I wanted to punch Asante, but I stopped.” The hearing was part of an effort by both clubs to lessen the sanctions imposed after the final.
