Israeli Soccer Player Accused of Sexual Harassment by Masseuse

A prominent Israeli Premier League soccer player is facing allegations of sexual harassment and indecent assault from a masseuse who was providing him with private treatment at his home. The masseuse, who is a medical professional, filed a police complaint against the player on Tuesday, detailing the alleged incident. In a televised interview on Wednesday, the masseuse described the event as traumatic, stating it has significantly impacted his mental health, causing sleep deprivation and loss of appetite. He recounted that after the massage session concluded, the player allegedly exposed himself, rubbed his genitals, looked at the masseuse, and asked if he enjoyed it. The masseuse stated he was frozen and immediately left the premises. He also shared a text message from the player apologizing for the incident, saying, "I'm sorry, hope you're not angry, I'm sorry."

The soccer player has denied the accusations. According to a report by Sport Channel, his defense is that the incident was a sexually-themed joke made at the end of the treatment, not an indecent act. The player's attorney, Liran Zilberman, claimed on Channel 12 that the masseuse attempted to extort money from the player in exchange for his silence, a claim that has not yet been proven. As of Wednesday afternoon, the player had not yet been summoned for police questioning. The masseuse expressed disbelief at the player's defense, questioning the nature of a sexual joke directed at a professional caregiver in his home and stating the player should be ashamed.