Lawyers Criticize Police Probe into Hapoel Tiberias Soccer Club
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Lawyers Shelly Hyatt and Yahav Argaman are criticizing the police investigation into Hapoel Tiberias soccer club's financial dealings and double contracts. They argue that dozens of young, "normal" players are being treated as suspects, potentially harming their futures and careers abroad. The lawyers claim the matter was already resolved by the Football Association, and the current police actions feel like an unjustified "witch hunt." Players reportedly signed initial contracts with agreed salaries, then were asked to sign secondary documents with lower figures for external reporting.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lawyers Shelly Hyatt and Yahav Argaman are criticizing the police investigation into Hapoel Tiberias soccer club.
- Dozens of young soccer players are being investigated under caution, with criminal files opened against them.
- The lawyers describe the police actions as a "witch hunt" and express concern for the players' futures.
- Players reportedly signed initial contracts and then secondary documents with lower figures for external reporting.
- The matter was previously addressed by the Football Association, which imposed a significant fine.
- The lawyers argue that a player's signature does not automatically prove complicity in false reporting.
Lawyers representing current and former players of Hapoel Tiberias soccer club are criticizing the ongoing police investigation into alleged financial irregularities and double contracts. Attorneys Shelly Hyatt and Yahav Argaman, who are providing legal counsel to several players, described the situation as a "witch hunt" and expressed concern over the impact on the athletes' futures.
Hyatt stated that it is "very difficult" for dozens of "super-normal" young players in their 20s, whose primary skill is playing soccer, to be investigated under caution and have criminal files opened against them. She argued that a warning would have been more appropriate for individuals without criminal intent or awareness, noting that open files could hinder their ability to obtain visas for playing abroad.
Argaman added that players who were summoned for questioning, expecting to give open testimony, found themselves treated as suspects. He highlighted that the matter had already been addressed by the Football Association's tribunal, which imposed a fine of half a million shekels to clear the players. The current police actions, he believes, feel like an unending "witch hunt" as they are re-investigating everyone.
Regarding the contracts, Argaman explained that players signed agreements reflecting their agreed-upon salaries. They were later asked to sign a second document, presented as a technicality or re-confirmation, which contained lower figures and was submitted to the Football Association. This practice, he suggested, may have been used to present a lower salary commitment externally for budget control or reporting purposes.
Both lawyers emphasized that a player's signature on a contract does not automatically prove complicity in false reporting. They stressed the need to examine what was presented to the players, their understanding of the documents, and their awareness of how the documents would be used. Hyatt pointed out the power imbalance, where young players depend on the club for their livelihood and future, potentially fearing that refusal of routine requests could jeopardize their careers.
