Premier League Footballer Denies Illegal Betting and Match-Fixing Allegations After Arrest

A senior Israeli footballer was arrested on Sunday morning at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of large-scale illegal betting, match-fixing, money laundering and tax offenses allegedly carried out with others. He was stopped just before boarding a flight out of Israel and is expected to be brought at 2:00 p.m. for a remand-extension hearing. The investigation is being handled by Lahav 433’s Northern unit together with the Israeli Football Association.

In his first response, the player said the claims against him were false. “The things published about me are not true,” he said, adding that he is fully cooperating with investigators and hopes “the truth will be clarified soon.” He also said he expects to return to the pitch and to do what he loves most, football.

His lawyer, Batel Shiriki, said the case is still at an early stage and warned against premature conclusions. She said her client has given his version, is acting transparently, and that she believes the checks will show “no defect” in his conduct. She urged the public and media not to judge him in advance, noting the impact on his family as well as his reputation.

Police say the case involves suspicions that the player systematically placed illegal bets in a manner incompatible with his role as an active player at a top-flight club. Investigators believe a well-known local criminal, currently serving a prison sentence, ran a coercive network and that the footballer may have been extorted by it. A police source told N12 that investigators have gathered a body of evidence indicating serious misconduct and that this is only the beginning, with possible further questioning of people from the sports world. The arrest follows earlier detentions last week, and more suspects may still be investigated.