Israeli Anti-Doping Agency Suspends Five Ironi Tiberias Players Over Illegal Injections

The Israeli National Anti-Doping Agency announced on Sunday the temporary suspension of five players and three staff members from Ironi Tiberias football club due to allegations of administering prohibited injections to players. The suspensions follow an investigation conducted in cooperation with the Israel Football Association. The suspended players are David Kaltins, Guy Hadida, Niv Gottlieb, Kendo Mamdo Samba, and Yonatan Teper. Additionally, the club's coach Eliran Hodida, technical manager Chen Sol, and fitness coach Shlomi Vedardo were also suspended.

The agency emphasized that all involved parties will have the right to a hearing and may pursue plea agreements or legal proceedings in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Dr. Daniel Hershtein, CEO of the agency, described the case as an "exceptional instance of collective failure" and praised the Football Association and Ministry of Sports for treating the matter with seriousness to uphold clean sports in Israel.

Ironi Tiberias is scheduled to depart for a training camp in Poland the following day. A club representative stated that preparations for the camp and upcoming season continue as usual despite the suspensions.

The allegations originated from a formal complaint filed last month by M.S. Ashdod, represented by attorney Amit Hadad, accusing Ironi Tiberias players of receiving illegal injections before their playoff match. The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Tiberias, resulting in Ashdod dropping below the relegation line in the 30th round of the Premier League. It is suspected that the injections administered to Tiberias players contained substances at levels ten times above the permitted limit. Ashdod claims that Tiberias players discussed the matter with Ashdod players, and over recent months, evidence including recordings has been collected regarding the case.