Israeli Football Association Seeks Suspension of Maccabi Haifa Forward Omer Dahan Over Match-Fixing Allegations

The Israeli Football Association has requested the suspension of Omer Dahan, a forward for Maccabi Haifa, amid an ongoing investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing. The association filed a motion with the disciplinary court to bar Dahan from all football activities for at least 60 days or until a further decision is made. This move follows a letter from the Israeli Police's Lahav 433 unit, dated August 2, 2026, informing that the criminal investigation against Dahan has concluded and that charges will be filed against him.

The investigation uncovered significant evidence linking Dahan to illegal gambling activities, including bets on matches involving teams he played for, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the games. The Football Association emphasized that the allegations are severe and that allowing Dahan to continue playing could severely damage public trust in the sport's fairness and the authorities' efforts to combat corruption.

Additionally, the association requested the court to lift the confidentiality on some of the evidence collected, which has been partially disclosed solely for court proceedings. Dahan, who was loaned to Hapoel Ra'anana last season, publicly denied all accusations in June, stating he has no connection to match-fixing or game manipulation claims.