Ironi Tiberias Wins Amid Controversial VAR Offside Call Against Hapoel Petah Tikva

Ironi Tiberias began the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva on August 22, despite starting with a six-point deduction and several player suspensions. The winning goal came from a successful penalty by Itamar Shabiro. Late in the match, a potentially equalizing goal by Hapoel Petah Tikva was disallowed due to a disputed offside call, sparking protests from the visiting team.

Hapoel Petah Tikva player Omer Peretz criticized the decision, stating that the VAR screen was black and the referee relied solely on information from his earpiece. Peretz also questioned the referee's explanation that a teammate interfered with the goalkeeper, saying he saw no impact on the play. He called for more respect towards his team and noted the limited added time was insufficient. He added that the team’s roster is still incomplete and hopes for improvements soon.

Ironi Tiberias captain Alon Ziv expressed satisfaction with the win, highlighting the team's late start to the season and the collective effort shown on the pitch. He mentioned ongoing talks to strengthen the squad with two to three new foreign players, especially after losing Badji. Hapoel Petah Tikva player Roee David described the loss as disappointing but asked fans for patience, promising full commitment to the club.

Itamar Shabiro, who scored the penalty, emphasized the team's focus on overcoming their point deficit and praised the coaching staff and club environment. The match underscored the challenges both teams face early in the season, with Ironi Tiberias managing to secure a crucial win despite off-field difficulties and Hapoel Petah Tikva grappling with controversial officiating decisions.