Security Guard Who Attacked Fan Released to House Arrest Amid Mental Health Concerns

The security guard accused of attacking fans with a metal rod during the Toto Cup match between Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya was released to house arrest, despite opposition from the Petah Tikva police station. The court was informed that the suspect suffers from a mental illness, prompting Judge Maor Even Chen to order house arrest instead of detention. The judge emphasized the severity of the alleged actions but noted that the investigation could continue while the suspect remains under this alternative measure. He also urged the investigative unit to assess the suspect's cognitive condition at this stage.

The violent incident erupted after verbal exchanges between fans escalated. Security personnel and stewards threw chairs at spectators, leading to a chaotic brawl that required riot police intervention to restore order. During the melee, a fan was struck in the head and hospitalized at Beilinson Hospital with significant bleeding, while another fan was hit with a broken chair. Several fans also assaulted stewards with punches.

Following the incident, three stewards were arrested. One of them, a resident of East Jerusalem who allegedly struck a fan in the head, is the guard now released to house arrest. The case continues to draw attention due to the severity of the violence and the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.