Maccabi Netanya Captain Karrem Jaber Calms Tensions After Fan Clash with Maor Levi

Maccabi Netanya opened their season with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Bnei Sakhnin on August 24, 2026. The match was marked by a tense incident in the 61st minute when midfielder Maor Levi was substituted following a confrontation with a small group of Netanya fans. Levi was subjected to verbal abuse and had objects thrown at him, to which he responded. Defender Karrem Jaber accompanied Levi off the field to calm him down, and Levi later returned to the bench, receiving applause from the crowd.

Jaber emphasized unity within the team, stating, "We are one team. Maor is our friend, I went down to calm him. The crowd loves him and applauded him afterward. These are just game emotions. He felt the game wasn’t going well for him. We stand behind him, we love him, and we will move forward." He also reflected on the match, noting that despite creating good chances, the team failed to capitalize and must improve in upcoming games.

Netanya’s coach, Roni Levi, praised the team’s control and defensive performance but acknowledged the need for better finishing and individual skill against compact defenses. He expressed confidence in meeting the high expectations placed on the team and promised to do their best.

On the other side, Bnei Sakhnin’s coach Yossi Abukasis admitted his team was initially nervous but improved defensively in the second half. He highlighted ongoing challenges in offensive coordination and the need to strengthen the squad, noting the team is still in a rebuilding phase. Abukasis considered the draw a satisfactory result given the circumstances and hopes it will boost the team’s confidence ahead of their next match.