Tiberias Owners Defend Players Amid Controversy Over Alleged Illegal IV Infusions

The Tiberias football club is grappling with the fallout from an investigation into alleged illegal intravenous infusions given to players, which the club strongly denies. During the team's season-opening training session on June 28, 2026, club owner Aryeh Kalmanzon addressed the controversy in an interview with Sport 5, rejecting accusations that players were coached to lie during interrogations and asserting that the investigation has caused significant professional and financial harm to the club.

Kalmanzon criticized the handling of the investigation, claiming that players were subjected to intense pressure, including one player being held for two hours, threatened, and sent for a polygraph test, yet maintained consistent statements that support the club's innocence. He disputed claims that players received large quantities of saline infusions, explaining that each player was connected for only 7 to 12 minutes at a slow drip rate, making it impossible to reach prohibited volumes. He also noted that only six players received infusions, not 14 as alleged, and two stopped immediately due to bleeding.

The owner dismissed suggestions of banned substance use, emphasizing that only saline was administered and no attempts were made to conceal any illegal substances. He questioned why a high-profile lawyer was involved in filing a complaint with the football association, suggesting it was intended to pressure the prosecution. Kalmanzon also highlighted the damage the investigation has caused to the club's sponsorships, season ticket sales, and player recruitment ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Meanwhile, the club continues preparations for the new season, including a new fitness coach, Ehud Ben Shoshan, who joined from M.S. Ashdod, and the arrival of new player Chris Kouakou from Ivory Coast, who is undergoing medical tests. Eli Belilti, whose contract ended, did not participate in the opening training. Tiberias is also expected to sign another Israeli defender to join Gal Ma'atok, recently acquired from Maccabi Petah Tikva.