15 Years On, Israeli Footballer's Infamous Shoe Toss Incident Remembered
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Fifteen years after a Europa League match, Israeli footballer Yoav Ziv's infamous shoe-kicking incident is being remembered. On October 20, 2011, Ziv accidentally struck a linesman with his shoe in frustration, leading to a red card. The bizarre event gained widespread international media attention and resulted in a three-game UEFA suspension and a $7,500 fine for Ziv.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yoav Ziv was sent off after accidentally kicking his shoe at a linesman 15 years ago.
- The incident occurred during a Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match against Stoke City.
- The shoe toss was widely covered internationally as a bizarre and comical event.
- Ziv received a three-game UEFA suspension and a $7,500 fine from his club.
- The event became one of Israeli football's most memorable European moments.
Fifteen years ago, on October 20, 2011, a bizarre incident occurred during a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stoke City in England. Yoav Ziv, a defender for Maccabi Tel Aviv, kicked his own shoe in frustration after losing it during a tackle near the sideline. The shoe flew and struck a linesman, resulting in Ziv being shown a direct red card.
The match, which Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 3-0, was overshadowed by the unusual sending-off. Ziv had lost his shoe in a challenge with Ryan Shotton and, upon attempting to put it back on, accidentally kicked it towards Greek linesman Christos Akrivos. Referee Anastasios Kakos issued the red card, even though Stoke City had already had a player, Cameron Jerome, sent off in the first half.
The incident garnered significant international media attention. British newspapers like The Guardian and The Independent described the red card as ridiculous and a moment of classic comedy. In the US, Bleacher Report published a dedicated article, humorously noting Ziv's "pretty good kick" that "hit the target." French and Belgian media also covered the event, with Ziv's loss of temper and subsequent apology being highlighted.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis commented that while he didn't see the incident live, he found it funny on replay but understood the referee's decision. Ziv himself acknowledged the immediate realization that the event would become a major story, expressing regret and calling it an accident due to frustration. He later admitted to becoming an "unwilling YouTube star" due to the viral nature of the footage.
UEFA suspended Ziv for three additional European matches, and Maccabi Tel Aviv fined him $7,500 and suspended him for one game. The disciplinary actions and financial penalty turned the seemingly comical moment into a costly one for the player. While the match's scoreline has faded into history, Ziv's shoe incident remains one of Israeli football's most memorable European moments.
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