Israeli Football Association Seeks Suspension of Maccabi Haifa Player Amid Match-Fixing Investigation

The Israeli Football Association (IFA) has officially requested the disciplinary court to suspend Maccabi Haifa player Omer Dahan from all football activities until the conclusion of his ongoing criminal investigation on suspicion of match-fixing. This request comes nearly two months after Dahan publicly revealed he was the player involved in the illegal betting scandal. The IFA aims to prevent him from participating in any official matches or events while the legal process is underway.

Alongside the primary demand for suspension until the criminal case is resolved, the IFA proposed an alternative measure: if the court rejects the main request, they ask for a minimum 60-day suspension due to the ongoing investigation. The official petition states that substantial evidence has emerged during the inquiry, indicating serious offenses allegedly committed by Dahan. The association emphasized the gravity of the accusations, arguing that they severely undermine his ability to continue as an active player in Israeli football.

The disciplinary court must now decide whether to accept the IFA's request for a full suspension until the legal proceedings end, impose the shorter 60-day ban, or reject the suspension altogether. At this stage, the allegations remain unproven in the criminal process. The court's ruling on Dahan's status will follow the IFA's formal submission.