Ironi Tiberias Heads to Training Camp Without Suspended Players Amid Doping Scandal

Ironi Tiberias football club decided to proceed with its training camp in Poland despite the ongoing doping scandal that has led to the suspension of several players and staff. On Monday, the team trained without five suspended players, David Kaltins, Guy Hadida, Niv Gottlieb, Sambinia, and Yonatan Teper, as well as suspended coach Eliran Hodeda and technical manager Chen Sol, who were barred from the training facility. Assistant coach Moti Krispil and new fitness coach Ehud Ben Shoshan, who replaced the temporarily suspended Shlomi Vedardo, led the session. Krispil encouraged the players to "keep their heads up and continue as usual."

The club plans to fly to the training camp in Poland without the suspended personnel to maintain preparation for the upcoming season and preserve sporting routine, also citing the high costs that can no longer be canceled. Meanwhile, Ironi Tiberias has requested the Israeli Sports Anti-Doping Agency to lift the temporary suspensions of Hodeda and Sol to allow their participation in the camp, though such reversals are rare and expected to be unlikely without strong justification.

The disciplinary hearings and related procedures will continue this week and next. Unlike football association disciplinary cases, doping investigations can be prolonged despite all parties' desire for a swift resolution. Even after the agency completes its process, the club retains the right to appeal or negotiate a plea deal.

Louis Hilaf, a player whose candidacy was first reported by Sport 5, will join the team in Poland and continue to be evaluated. However, new player signings and ongoing negotiations with potential foreign recruits have been put on hold. The club expressed concern that the scandal could be devastating for Ironi Tiberias.