Israeli Coaches’ Association Condemns Eliran Oved’s Remarks to Kobi Refua

"We express deep shock, this is a violation of human dignity". In the Coaches' Association responded to Eliran Oved’s remarks: "A red flag, we have turned to the federation." Sport 5, published: 11.06.26, 14:20. Photo: Sport 5

The extraordinary footage in the series "Queen of the Neighborhood" on Kan, in which Eliran Oved can be heard shouting harshly at Kobi Refua during Bnei Yehuda's defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv, caused an uproar. The Israel Football Coaches' Association issued an official letter on the matter: "The Israel Football Coaches' Association expresses deep shock and disgust at the shameful video circulated on social media, in which the owner of Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, Mr. Eliran Oved, is seen and heard attacking the team's coach, Mr. Kobi Refua, in a brutal, humiliating and degrading manner, in full view of everyone. This unrestrained behavior by senior figures in Israeli football in general, and toward coaches in particular, has crossed a bright red line. This is not only a personal injury to Mr. Refua, but a spit in the face of the status of football coaches in Israel and a trampling of human dignity as such. The association wishes to make it clear in no uncertain terms: such behavior sets off a blazing red flag for every player, coach or official in the industry. This serious incident raises a major and fundamental question, whether a football club run in this way is a proper and sensible workplace where professionals would want to work, regardless of the amount of money offered to them? A culture of abuse, public humiliation and the creation of a hostile work environment cannot be accepted with leniency, for any sum of money. Because the serious incident was not brought to the association's management officially before it was published, the association was unable to deal with the case in real time. However, as soon as the shocking material was revealed, the association acted without delay. In parallel with this statement, the Coaches' Association formally contacted the Football Association prosecutor, asking him to examine the legal and disciplinary status in the matter, and to use the tools granted to him in the regulations to bring Eliran Oved and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv to justice. The association is also addressing coach Kobi Refua personally, our door is open to you. You are invited to file an official complaint with the association, and we undertake to act with all our strength and with all the legal and public means at our disposal to protect your rights and bring the responsible parties to justice. In our view, there is absolutely no place, justification or logic to continue working in a workplace where the owner behaves in such a disgraceful manner toward his coach in front of many. In addition, the association calls on every coach in Israel who is subjected to abuse, harassment or harmful treatment in their workplace to contact the Coaches' Association immediately. We will not comply, we will not remain silent, and we will not allow any club in Israel to disrespect the status of the coach and turn him into a punching bag. The Coaches' Association will continue to stand as a bulwark in defense of the dignity, status and rights of football coaches in Israel." As mentioned, these were Oved's remarks: "Can't you see what's happening on the pitch? This is the least coached team I have ever seen in my life (door slams angrily). Kobi Mor goes off, Joel Abuka comes on, Yaniv Brik goes off, Yuval Piven is in midfield, I will manage the game, I won't let you disgrace this club. Tell me, have you lost your mind? Can't you see what's happening? You don't make a substitution? Your team looks like a pile of garbage in the 20th minute, and you don't make a substitution? You leave Kobi Mor taking four goals on him. Piven doesn't know whether he's a center back or a defensive midfielder. What happened, did you have a blackout? Can't you manage the game? Get up, get out! Don't invent football. Do you want to lose 10:0?" National League. Did you find a wording error?