Soccer Player Accused of Sexual Harassment Denies Allegations

A top Israeli soccer league player, against whom a masseur has filed a sexual harassment complaint, continued his regular training and has not yet been summoned for police questioning. The player denies all allegations and is expected to continue playing for his team as usual. His lawyer, Liran Zilberman, stated that the player received a massage at his home, which is a common practice, and made an "unsuccessful joke" at the end, asserting that no criminal offense occurred. Zilberman claims the masseur approached the player seeking a sum of money to drop the matter, and filed a complaint only after the player ignored the demand. The player reportedly informed a team official about receiving a "blackmail letter."

Zilberman added that if the player is summoned for questioning, he will cooperate and provide his account. He reiterated that the player hired the masseur after researching recommendations online and that there was no physical contact beyond the professional massage, according to the masseur's own lawyers. Lawyers for the masseur, Yitzhak Sapir and Shimshon Klein, stated that their client experienced a "severe and traumatic event of sexual harassment and indecent assault," which has caused significant psychological distress and impacted his ability to work and resume his daily life.