Football Fan Severely Attacked by Security Guard with Iron Rod in Petah Tikva Stadium

A violent incident at the football stadium in Petah Tikva resulted in a severe attack on Hapoel Petah Tikva fan Liam Azulai, who was struck with an iron rod by a security guard responsible for maintaining order. The attack caused public outrage, especially after the court released the assailant to house arrest, citing mental health issues. In an interview on the program "HaOlam HaBoker," Azulai recounted the terrifying moments during the assault, describing the serious injury he sustained and the real threat to his life. He emphasized that if he had not ducked at the moment of the attack, the consequences could have been far worse. Azulai also criticized the security company’s handling of the situation and the decision to release the attacker, highlighting the lack of proper screening and background checks for personnel tasked with stadium security. He stated, "It is unreasonable for a football club to hire a security company that employs attackers and trains guards without knowing anything about their mental health history."