Beitar Jerusalem Criticizes Maccabi Haifa CEO Over Community Award Dispute
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Beitar Jerusalem criticized Maccabi Haifa CEO Itzik Ovadia for his reaction to Beitar receiving the President's Award for community work, accusing him of intimidation attempts. Beitar praised all clubs' community efforts and affirmed the award's rightful placement.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Beitar Jerusalem won the President's Award for community contribution for the first time.
- Maccabi Haifa CEO Itzik Ovadia reportedly sent harsh messages to the award committee.
- Beitar accused Ovadia of intimidation and called him a "small" CEO in a "big" club.
- The dispute followed Beitar's 2-1 win over Maccabi Haifa in Vienna.
- Beitar acknowledged the community work of Maccabi Haifa and other league teams.
Beitar Jerusalem issued a rare and sharp public statement on Monday criticizing Maccabi Haifa's CEO, Itzik Ovadia, following Beitar's recent receipt of the President's Award for community contribution. The club highlighted that all football teams have been actively engaged in commendable community work benefiting Israeli society. Beitar Jerusalem expressed pride in winning the President's Award for the first time after intense efforts.
However, the statement accused Ovadia of struggling to accept the award committee's decision and sending harsh messages to its members. Beitar's statement questioned how such a "small" CEO could be found in a "big" club, accusing him of attempting to intimidate the committee over a special community contribution prize.
The club concluded by affirming that the award is rightly placed and extended respect to the community work of Maccabi Haifa staff and other league teams. The dispute follows Beitar Jerusalem's victory over Maccabi Haifa in a penalty shootout after a 2-1 match in Vienna, Austria.
