Israeli Football Association Announces Penalties for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva After State Cup Final Brawl

The Israeli Football Association revealed on Sunday a plea deal concerning the violent incidents during the State Cup final between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva about six weeks ago. Maccabi Tel Aviv will face a total fine of 114,000 shekels, including 24,000 for fan riots, 50,000 for on-field fighting, and 40,000 for racist chants. Additionally, the club will receive a conditional two-point deduction if further offenses occur. Several players received suspensions: Karvin Andrade was banned for seven games plus seven conditional matches, Christian Blitz for five and five, Elad Madmon for three and three, and Tyrese Asante for one and two. Team manager Yoav Ziv was suspended from all football activities for three months starting July 1.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva was fined 110,000 shekels, with 60,000 for fan disturbances and 50,000 for the brawl, and also faces a conditional two-point deduction for future offenses. Player suspensions include Samir Farhoud (five games plus five conditional), Zahi Ahmad (four and four), Mohammad Abu Romi and Javon East (three and three each), and Mohammad Kana'an (two conditional games plus a red card suspension).

The disciplinary tribunal stated that the penalties, though not the harshest possible, are appropriate and intended to deter future misconduct. The tribunal emphasized the State Cup final's significance as a celebratory event marking the football season's end, which was marred by violent clashes among players and officials immediately after the final whistle. This occurred despite pre-match anti-violence campaigns and in front of the President of Israel, football leaders, and thousands of spectators both in the stadium and via media.

Both teams will hold an anti-violence ceremony before the upcoming Champion of Champions match on Thursday. The tribunal condemned the players' behavior as shameful and urged all involved parties to take responsibility for preventing such incidents in the future.