Full coverage· Security· Updated 16:22

Ironi Tiberias Owner Arrested on Suspicion of Financial Crimes

Owners and senior officials of the Premier League football club Hapoel Ironi Tiberias were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of serious financial offenses and operating with double contracts totaling tens of millions of shekels. The arrests were made as part of a joint investigation by the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime Lahav 433, the Israel Football Association, the Israel Tax Authority's Yahalom Unit, the National Insurance Institute, and the Corporations Authority.

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Ironi Tiberias Owner Arrested on Suspicion of Financial Crimes — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Owners and senior officials of Hapoel Ironi Tiberias were arrested on Sunday over suspected financial offenses totaling tens of millions of shekels.
02The Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended the detention of club owner Aryeh Kalmanzon until Thursday.
03The detention of the club's financial manager, Yael Bar, was extended by the court until Wednesday.
04The joint investigation involves Lahav 433, the Israel Football Association, the Israel Tax Authority, and other national authorities.
05A former coach of the Premier League club was also arrested in connection with the financial probe.
06The team's players are not involved in the alleged crimes, though some have been summoned for questioning.
07Club officials expressed fear that the severe financial scandal could lead to the end of the football team.

Among those arrested are the club's owner, Aryeh Kalmanzon, the financial manager, Yael Bar, and a former coach. The Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended Kalmanzon's detention by five days until Thursday, while Bar's detention was extended until Wednesday. Club officials expressed deep concern over the development, with one stating that the situation could be the final blow to the team.

The players of Hapoel Ironi Tiberias were completely surprised by the arrests and are not involved in the alleged crimes. Although some players received summonses for questioning on their way to practice, training sessions are scheduled to proceed as usual.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 16:31