Israeli Soccer Club Owners Arrested in Multi-Million Shekel Fraud Probe
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Police arrested four senior officials from the Hapoel Ironi Tiberias soccer club, including co-owners Arie Kalmanzon and Miki Biton, on suspicion of economic offenses totaling tens of millions of shekels. The arrests mark the open phase of a months-long investigation into alleged fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. Authorities plan to question dozens of players, both current and former, as part of the probe.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Ironi Tiberias co-owners Arie Kalmanzon and Miki Biton were arrested for alleged multi-million shekel economic offenses.
- Four senior club officials, including the finance official, were arrested in the probe known as "Mirror Image."
- The investigation involves suspected fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion over four seasons.
- Authorities plan to question dozens of current and former players in the coming days.
- Luxury vehicles and real estate were seized during the operation.
Authorities have arrested four senior officials from the Hapoel Ironi Tiberias soccer club, including co-owners Arie Kalmanzon and Miki Biton, on suspicion of economic offenses totaling tens of millions of shekels. Kalmanzon and Biton's detention was extended by five days by the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court. Also arrested was Yael Bar, the club's finance official, whose detention was extended by four days, along with a former coach. The investigation, dubbed "Mirror Image," has been ongoing secretly for months by the Lahav 433 fraud unit, focusing on serious criminal offenses related to the club. It is being conducted in cooperation with the Football Association, the Tax Authority's Diamond Unit, the National Insurance Institute, and the Registrar of Associations.
Investigators suspect offenses including obtaining benefits by fraud, false corporate record-keeping, forgery, money laundering, and violations of tax and national insurance laws. Suspicions also include failure to report salaries paid to players and the signing of dual contracts. Police estimate the scope of the offenses at tens of millions of shekels, allegedly committed systematically over four seasons. The investigation transitioned to its open phase with the arrests of the four key suspects, who are believed to be the perpetrators.
As part of the operation, luxury vehicles and real estate were seized. Police and the Tax Authority plan to summon dozens of current and former players for questioning in the coming days. A private investigation conducted by the Football Association about a year ago had previously raised suspicions of hidden salaries, document forgery, and dual contracts within the club.
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