Decision on Hapoel Petah Tikva's 12-Player Incident Delayed

The Israeli Football Association's disciplinary hearing regarding Hapoel Petah Tikva's controversial use of 12 players during a match against Maccabi Netanya has been postponed. The incident occurred during a penalty kick taken by Maor Levi, which leveled the score at 1-1 deep into stoppage time.

The Association's prosecutor, Gilad Bergman, intends to charge the club for fielding an ineligible player. However, the disciplinary committee will not convene this week because the Ramat Gan Stadium, which houses the Association's offices and the tribunal, is being used for artist performances.

While the regulations clearly state that fielding an extra player should result in a technical loss, the tribunal has discretion to consider surrounding circumstances. The Association acknowledges past precedents and recognizes that the tribunal must examine the context of the event, including potential responsibility from the officiating crew. The committee is expected to request testimony from the main referee, Gal Leibovitz, and the fourth official, Yigal Fried.

It is also possible that the team manager of Hapoel Petah Tikva, Eliran Bernstein, and the player who was supposed to be substituted but remained on the field, Roi Levi, will be summoned to provide their accounts. Officials from the Association described the event as "interesting and unprecedented in the Premier League," noting that the circumstances leading to the drama will influence the disciplinary committee's decision.