Israeli Football League Urges Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva to Ensure Respectful Super Cup Match

Three days ahead of the Israeli Super Cup match, the League Administration has issued an unusual public appeal to the leaders of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva to ensure the game is played in a sporting and respectful atmosphere. Erez Calfon, chairman of the League Administration, addressed club heads Jack Anglides and Alona Barkat on Monday, urging them to prevent a recurrence of the violent incidents that marred their previous encounter in the State Cup final. That match saw on-field clashes between players and staff, overshadowing the victory and drawing widespread criticism of Israeli football's image.

Calfon emphasized that the Super Cup, marking the festive start of the 2026/27 season, should showcase the best of Israeli football, including competitiveness, achievement, professionalism, and mutual respect. He expressed regret over recent unsportsmanlike events between the clubs, which detracted from the sporting results and generated inappropriate headlines given the stature of the teams and competitions involved.

In his letter, Calfon called on the club leaders to lead a change ahead of the upcoming match by ensuring that players, coaching staff, and fans uphold a spirit of sportsmanship and respect. He highlighted the importance of athletes and professionals serving as positive role models for millions of viewers, including hundreds of thousands of children and youth. Calfon expressed confidence in their leadership to guarantee a dignified game that will be a source of pride for both clubs and the league as a whole.