Erik Shtilman Accuses Guy Harel of Secretly Seeking Stake in Maccabi Tel Aviv Amid Ownership Dispute

The ownership battle over Maccabi Tel Aviv escalated sharply on Monday as Erik Shtilman accused Guy Harel, former CEO of Hapoel Jerusalem, of secretly partnering with investor Jason Levine to acquire shares in Maccabi Tel Aviv. Shtilman called the move a "huge humiliation" for the club and its chairman Shimon Rokanti, claiming the deal was made behind closed doors without transparency. Harel, who acts as a mediator between Levine and the club, vehemently denied the allegations, calling Shtilman's claims delusional and false.

Shtilman first raised the accusations in a podcast interview, revealing that Harel was becoming a shareholder alongside Levine, and criticized the Rokanti family for conducting the deal secretly and violating shareholder agreements. He warned that legal action would follow and described the current atmosphere among shareholders as one of deep mistrust and conflict. Shtilman argued that Maccabi suffers from a fractured ownership structure with too many leaders and called for a single controlling owner holding over 50% to restore order.

Beyond ownership, Shtilman also criticized the club's professional setup, stating that the scouting system had been dismantled and would take at least two years to rebuild. He stressed that signing players alone would not suffice without a proper scouting infrastructure. Shtilman vowed to continue his campaign against Rokanti, whom he blames for the club's problems, promising to fight for Maccabi's future even if it takes decades.

The dispute highlights deep divisions within Maccabi Tel Aviv's leadership and raises questions about the club's governance and transparency. Shtilman indicated that the conflict would continue for at least another month, hoping eventually for a structural change in ownership that would stabilize the club.