Coach, Manager, and Five Key Players of Ironi Tiberias Suspended Over Illegal Injections Scandal

The National Anti-Doping Agency has temporarily suspended Ironi Tiberias football coach Eliran Hodida, technical manager Chen Sol, fitness coach Shlomi Vedardo, and five senior players amid an investigation into illegal injections. The suspensions follow suspicions that some players received banned substances through supplements, with large volumes of injections allegedly administered to mask these substances before doping tests. The players involved are David Kaltins, Guy Hadida, Niv Gottlieb, Sambinia, and Yonatan Teper.

The investigation began after M.S. Ashdod, recently relegated following a tight race with Tiberias, filed a complaint to the Israel Football Association about suspected illegal injections near a relegation playoff match. The Anti-Doping Agency conducted an in-depth inquiry in cooperation with the football association.

The suspended players have hired attorney Efraim Barak, who maintains their innocence and has received indications from the agency about possible plea deals. Ironi Tiberias owner Aryeh Kalmanzon dismissed the allegations as pressure tactics, claiming no official communication has been received and suggesting the scandal is a "spin" aimed at forcing the club's relegation. He stated, "This issue will explode as it started."

The suspended individuals will have the right to a hearing and may pursue plea bargains or trials under WADA regulations. The case remains ongoing as the club and authorities continue their investigations.