Israeli Football Tribunal Rejects M.S. Ashdod's Request to Postpone Match Against Afula

The Israeli football tribunal has denied M.S. Ashdod's request to postpone their opening match against Afula, scheduled for the following day. The decision came after a hearing on August 17, 2026, where the tribunal ruled that the game will proceed as planned and dismissed all of Ashdod's demands. Ashdod had sought the delay due to ongoing legal proceedings involving Ironi Tiberias, arguing that if Tiberias is relegated, Ashdod would be required to replace them, potentially complicating their start in the National League irreversibly. However, the tribunal rejected these claims, stating that Ashdod's concerns were based on speculative outcomes regarding Tiberias' potential punishment. They emphasized that the legal process against Tiberias could be prolonged, and it would be unreasonable to delay the league's start indefinitely. The tribunal's decision ensures the league schedule remains intact despite the unresolved case involving Tiberias.