Ironi Tiberias Owner Claims Season Sabotaged Amid Suspension Controversy

Arie Kalmanzon, owner of Ironi Tiberias football club, expressed strong frustration in an exclusive interview with Sport Channel following a disciplinary hearing at the Israel Football Association. The hearing concluded with the association's prosecutor, Gilad Bergman, announcing plans to file an indictment, while Tiberias' representative, lawyer Eyal Yafe, withdrew the club's appeal. Kalmanzon criticized the suspension of four key players, the coach, and a scout without any formal charges or evidence of wrongdoing, stating that all available proof supports their innocence.

Kalmanzon lamented the impact on the team, saying the suspensions destroyed their training and prevented them from recruiting new players, threatening the club with relegation by several leagues. He emphasized that the club's significant investment has been wasted due to these sanctions. Addressing allegations related to player guarantees, Kalmanzon acknowledged that Ironi Tiberias, like other clubs such as Maccabi Netanya, engaged in guarantees but claimed no illegal activity was proven. He contrasted the media attention on Tiberias with the relative silence surrounding similar cases elsewhere.

He suggested that the harsh treatment of Tiberias stems from external interests favoring another team’s promotion at their expense, accusing unnamed parties of interference beyond the authority of individuals like Shani and Gilad Bergman. Kalmanzon’s comments highlight ongoing tensions within Israeli football governance and the challenges faced by smaller clubs amid disciplinary proceedings.