Hapoel Tel Aviv Management Threatens Legal Action Against Fan Group
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The management company of Hapoel Tel Aviv's senior basketball team has issued an ultimatum to the fan association Hapoel Osishkin, demanding they stop using the "Hapoel Tel Aviv" name and symbol for their "Hapoel Uri" team. The management cites a breach of agreement and copyright infringement following a recent game. The company also demands the fan group commit to not promoting Hapoel Uri to the National League, citing league regulations. The fan association is currently reviewing the demands, which include forfeiting shares if they refuse.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv management issued a three-day ultimatum to the fan association Hapoel Osishkin.
- The demand is to cease using the "Hapoel Tel Aviv" name and club symbol for the "Hapoel Uri" team.
- The management cites a breach of agreement and copyright infringement from a recent game.
- They also demand Hapoel Uri not be promoted to the National League due to regulations.
- The fan association is considering the demands, which include forfeiting shares.
- Similar protest team models exist in Israeli and global football.
Red Management Sal, owned by Ofer Yanai and holding the management rights for the senior Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team, has issued a three-day ultimatum to the fan association Hapoel Osishkin. In a sharp warning letter sent by the law firm Arnon, Tadmor-Levi, the association is demanded to immediately cease all use of the "Hapoel Tel Aviv" name and club symbol. This demand stems from the association's operation of the "Hapoel Uri" team, named after former manager Uri Sheff, which currently competes in the National League.
The primary catalyst for the dispute was Hapoel Uri's recent game against Maccabi Haifa, where the "Hapoel Tel Aviv" name allegedly appeared on the official scoreboard, and the team's players wore the original club symbol without mentioning "Uri." Red Management Sal considers this a fundamental breach of their 2023 agreement, a form of "passing off," and a blatant copyright infringement.
Beyond intellectual property claims, the management company is demanding a formal commitment from the fan association that Hapoel Uri will not be promoted to the National League. Basketball association regulations prohibit holding rights to two teams subject to budget control. The alternative offered to the association, should they refuse these terms, is to forfeit 19% of their shares in the parent company.
Hapoel Uri Tel Aviv, originally established as a junior team in 2011/12, gained significance as a protest and alternative group for many fans in the 2026/27 season, in opposition to the senior team and its owner, Ofer Yanai. This model of alternative protest teams is also seen in Israeli football, notably with the establishment of Hapoel Katamon by Hapoel Jerusalem fans in 2007 against owner Yossi Sassi, which operated under different names and symbols for years until acquiring the rights in 2020.
Similar phenomena exist globally, such as FC United of Manchester, founded by Manchester United fans in 2005 to protest the Glazer family's ownership. This team adopted similar colors but distinct symbols and names to avoid legal action. In Spain, reserve teams like Barcelona B and Real Madrid Castilla compete in lower leagues but are prohibited from promotion to the top tier to prevent them from facing their parent clubs.
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