Beitar Jerusalem Criticizes Maccabi Haifa CEO Over Community Award Dispute

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.