Ex-Soccer Star Sahar Mizrahi Banned for Racist Abuse

Former Israeli soccer player Sahar Mizrahi, now a coach in Liga Bet, has been suspended for ten games, with an additional 20-game suspended sentence, following an incident of alleged racist and offensive behavior towards a referee. The disciplinary judge, Shai Yishinovsky, imposed the penalty after determining Mizrahi had crossed a line.

The referee, Ayelet Frig, daughter of Issawi Frig, stated in her report that after awarding a penalty kick to Beitar Petah Tikva in the 92nd minute, Mizrahi entered the field and shouted at her, "You have no idea." After she issued him a red card, Mizrahi allegedly yelled further insults, including "whore, slut, stinking Arab, I'm sick of these referees who have no idea, your mother's cunt." The referee also noted that the Holon team manager intervened to stop Mizrahi from approaching her while he raised his fist.

Mizrahi denied the allegations, stating at a hearing that his words were taken out of context and that he did not curse. He asserted, "I am for coexistence," and pointed out that his team includes Arab players. Mizrahi offered to take a polygraph test with the referee. He claimed he only said "You have no idea" and also alleged that the referee had inappropriately asked one of his players if he was Arab at the start of the game.

Mizrahi, a prominent figure for Bnei Yehuda in the 1990s and early 2000s, recently concluded a seven-year tenure in the club's youth department. He believes he has been wronged by the harsh decision.