Five Players Suspended Amid Doping Investigation at Ironi Tiberias Football Club

Ironi Tiberias football club faces escalating turmoil following a doping investigation involving the team. On July 5, the National Anti-Doping Agency temporarily suspended five players, David Kaltins, Guy Hadida, Niv Gottlieb, Kendo Mamdo Samba, and Yonatan Teper, alongside coach Eliran Hodeda, technical manager Chen Sol, and fitness coach Shlomi Vardado. The suspensions bar them from all club activities, including training and friendly matches.

The players received the suspension notice unexpectedly, shortly after being summoned for a hearing by the agency. Club owner Aryeh Kalmanzon sent a message to the suspended players assuring full support, calling the suspension "a temporary and technical step" and accusing the agency of yielding to intense pressure from Ashdod to coerce the club into plea deals. Kalmanzon emphasized the club's confidence in its legal and medical evidence and vowed to fight the decision aggressively.

The suspension has already led to the cancellation of a scheduled friendly match against Hapoel Akko and cast doubt on a planned training camp in Poland costing 125,000 shekels, with flights and accommodations already arranged. The club also worries that the allegations could hinder future player signings and sponsorship deals. Previously, during a contract scandal last season, the club took responsibility to shield players from prosecution. Currently, some suspended players have retained legal counsel to represent them in the ongoing process.

Ironi Tiberias is seeking an expedited hearing to overturn the suspensions and return players to the field as soon as possible. The case continues to develop amid mounting pressure and financial risks for the club.