Maccabi Netanya Awarded 3-0 Technical Win Over Hapoel Petah Tikva

The Israel Football Association's disciplinary tribunal has awarded Maccabi Netanya a 3-0 technical victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva, more than two weeks after their match concluded and a week after a hearing. The decision overturns the original 1-1 draw and results in two points being added to Netanya's standings and one point deducted from Petah Tikva's. The controversy stemmed from an incident during the October 10th match where Hapoel Petah Tikva, leading 1-0, made a triple substitution. However, one player, Roey Levi, who was supposed to be substituted out, remained on the field. Consequently, Hapoel Petah Tikva had 12 players on the field during the penalty kick that led to Maor Levi's equalizing goal for Netanya.

Maccabi Netanya filed a formal complaint through their lawyer, Roey Rosen, seeking a technical win. Hapoel Petah Tikva argued that the presence of an extra player was an unintentional, good-faith error that did not affect the game's outcome. They also claimed their staff had alerted the referees to the extra player before the penalty was taken. The process was delayed due to scheduling conflicts at the Ramat Gan Stadium, where the tribunal's offices are located.

The hearing took place on October 21st before judges Noam Lyubin and Nir Smoogora. The association's prosecutor, Gal Bergman, initially believed the circumstances did not warrant a technical loss for Hapoel Petah Tikva. However, the judges ultimately ruled against Petah Tikva, finding them guilty of fielding an ineligible player and imposing the technical loss. The tribunal distinguished this case from international precedents, such as Bayern Munich playing with 12 players without forfeiting, stating these did not justify avoiding a result change here.

In addition to the score reversal, Hapoel Petah Tikva received a reprimand or warning but no financial fine, given the circumstances. The judges emphasized that this leniency in the penalty component does not alter the standard disciplinary policy for fielding an extra player.