Top Israeli Referee Sapir Berman Fails Fitness Tests, Barred From Early Premier League Matches

Sapir Berman, one of Israel's leading football referees, failed the fitness tests conducted by the Referees Association at the Wingate Institute. As a result, she will be unable to officiate matches in the Israeli Premier League at the start of the upcoming season until she passes the tests at the next scheduled date. Berman had previously failed the fitness tests in 2023 but passed shortly afterward and continued refereeing regularly. The current failure affects only domestic league games, allowing her to continue officiating international matches. Once she successfully completes the fitness tests, she will be permitted to return to refereeing in the league. Berman is highly regarded in Israeli football, having officiated key matches such as the recent top playoff game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, as well as the season's final match between Be'er Sheva and Beitar Jerusalem. It is also noted that she was not scheduled to referee in the upcoming weekend's matches due to postponements related to European playoffs.