Ashdod files complaint over suspected banned substances in Tiberias match

The Israel Football Association has received a formal complaint from the lawyers of M.S. Ashdod alleging that Ironi Tiberias may have used banned substances around their relegation playoff match. The case is now under investigation, with the National Anti-Doping Agency involved.

The match took place on May 3 at HaYam Stadium in Ashdod, where Tiberias won 3-0. Sambinha scored in the third minute, Ondřej Bačo made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, and Guy Hadida sealed the result in the 74th minute. Ashdod was eventually relegated to the National League at the end of the season.

The anti-doping agency is cooperating with the football association to examine the incident and, if needed, bring charges against those involved under the WADA code. Tiberias said it fully backs head coach Eliran Hodda and believes any action taken, if it happened at all, was done according to law.

The club also urged restraint, saying no judgment should be made based on reports alone. Hodda is currently on a family vacation abroad, and Tiberias said he will respond to any claims or reports after returning to Israel.