Gal Erel Sues Hapoel Haifa for Nearly Half a Million Shekels
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Gal Erel, a former player and coach for Hapoel Haifa, is suing the club for nearly NIS 500,000 in arbitration over alleged unpaid pension and social security contributions. The club's owner, Yoav Katz, reportedly expressed anger, questioning Erel's gratitude for past career support. Erel had multiple playing stints with the club and later served as head coach before being fired in January 2026. His legal action is similar to claims by other former players.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Gal Erel is suing Hapoel Haifa for nearly NIS 500,000 in arbitration.
- The lawsuit concerns alleged unpaid pension and social security contributions.
- Hapoel Haifa's owner, Yoav Katz, criticized Erel's alleged lack of gratitude.
- Erel had a long history with Hapoel Haifa as a player and coach.
- Erel was fired as head coach in January 2026 after poor results.
- Other former players have also filed similar claims against the club.
Gal Erel, a former player and coach for Hapoel Haifa, has filed a lawsuit against the club seeking nearly NIS 500,000 in arbitration. The claim reportedly concerns unpaid pension and past social security contributions from his time as both a player and coach.
The club's management expressed anger over the lawsuit, with sources stating, "Yoav [Katz] saved Gal's career when he was ostracized at Hapoel Acre in the National League. Yoav signed him at the start of the cup season without Nir Klinger knowing it was an owner's signing. Later, he promoted him to assistant coach and then gave him the keys to the senior team even though he had never coached before. What about gratitude? There are apparently no limits to ingratitude."
Erel, who came up through Hapoel Haifa's youth system and captained the team, played for them in two stints: 2008-2013 and 2017-2023. During his playing career, he won the Toto Cup in 2013, and the State Cup and Champion of Champions Cup in 2018. After retiring in the summer of 2023, he joined the professional staff as assistant to Roni Levy and was appointed head coach in June 2025. His tenure ended in January 2026 after being fired due to a string of poor results, including a loss to Bnei Raina.
Erel's lawsuit follows similar claims filed by other former players, including Eden Ben Basat and Gili Vermouth.
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