Owners of Ironi Tiberias Football Club Enter Legal Dispute Over Business Partnership

Ironi Tiberias football club owners Miki Beitan and Aryeh Kalmanzon are embroiled in a legal dispute that has reached the Tel Aviv District Court and could alter the club's ownership structure. While the club is currently focused on a separate issue involving player guarantees at the Football Association tribunal, this new conflict unfolds in the civil arena between the two long-time business partners, who also co-own the insurance company Dorot.

The dispute came to light after Beitan sent an open letter to Dorot clients, claiming that after nearly 30 years of partnership, Kalmanzon has taken unilateral actions to undermine his rights in the company. Beitan, who was removed from the football club's daily management due to a dual contract controversy and now serves as a sponsor, remains a co-owner of Ironi Tiberias. He alleges that according to explicit and documented agreements, including recorded and written acknowledgments from Kalmanzon, he owns one-third of the insurance business and its profits.

Beitan asserts that recent negotiations to sell the agency prompted Kalmanzon to revoke his joint signing authority, seize exclusive control of company accounts and commissions, and block his access to company systems, email, and his longtime mobile phone number. He has filed a lawsuit with urgent motions supported by documents, recordings, and written evidence, expressing confidence that the truth will prevail and his rights will be protected.

Kalmanzon responded by stating that since June 1, Beitan has had no active role in managing the club or the company. He also revealed that serious suspicions bordering on criminal offenses related to unlawful money transfers have recently emerged and are under investigation. Kalmanzon added that Beitan has been suspended from all activities within Dorot during this inquiry.