The plea agreement reached by the Maccabi Haifa Football Club with the Football Association's prosecutor, Attorney Gilad Bergman, officially entered into force and was approved on Wednesday, February 5.2.2025, 61,500, by the court, so that a disciplinary hearing will not be held. In the agreement, as stipulated, the Greens Maccabi Haifa suffered a technical defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv following the explosion of the game at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa in light of the numerous and violent clashes and the throwing of multiple flares by the fans onto the pitch. Maccabi Haifa was also deducted one point from its balance, and the Greens were also fined XNUMX shekels.
The arrangement also stipulates that the team is prohibited from selling tickets for two more away games, and according to the regulations, the ban only applies to rivals that have over 2 subscribers, namely Hapoel Beer Sheva, Beitar Jerusalem, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Haifa will not be able to bring an away crowd to the match against Hapoel Beer Sheva at the Turner Stadium in early March in the capital of the Negev, towards the end of the regular season, a penalty that has already been imposed on the team, with the next game without an away crowd being at the beginning of the playoffs, depending on the first opponent that Barak Bachar's team will face among Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Beitar.
Details of the plea agreement are below: The result of the game will be determined as 0:3 to Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa will be deducted one point, and the Greens will be prohibited from selling tickets for two away games (in addition to the penalty for the game in Turner).
A fine of 61,500 shekels
Continuing the issue of the prosecution of the events of the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Itzik Ovadia, CEO of Maccabi Haifa Football Club, published his statement today, below:
"I would like to update that after discussions, we have reached a plea agreement with the Football Association's prosecutor regarding the penalties that will be imposed on the club following the difficult and unusual events during the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which was stopped due to fan riots and the throwing of pyrotechnic devices onto the field. In accordance with the plea agreement, the club will suffer the following penalties: technical loss (3-0) in the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, deduction of a point from the league balance, prohibition on selling tickets for two away games until the end of the season, and a financial fine at the discretion of the court."
Unfortunately, we were forced to reach this arrangement out of risk management and out of no choice, after consulting with legal authorities and after we came to the conclusion that there was a significant chance that the court would impose an even more severe penalty on us, since according to the regulations, we bear vicarious liability for the failure to resume the game. As part of the agreement, we insisted on lowering the demand for an additional point deduction, as this demand was the most essential for us. The technical loss and the point deduction, in light of the number of events that ultimately caused the game to be stopped in the given situation, are the lesser of the two evils. Lowering the clause to an additional point on a condition, for the rest of the season, was, as stated, critical and essential.
I apologize to the supporting audience for the punishment we have been given, to the club, the team, the players and most of all to our devoted fans. However, we hope that we can now put these events behind us and focus on the sporting goals that lie ahead.
At the same time, the club continues with its program to eradicate violence and we are carrying out: blocking and preventing entry to violent elements, personal civil lawsuits against the rioters. At the same time, we are initiating an open and honest dialogue with representatives of the general public and maintaining a dialogue with all relevant parties, with the aim of ensuring that the team's games will be a safe, enjoyable and exciting experience for every fan.
Last Saturday we played Hadera in Netanya, and everyone who came did so out of love for the team and a desire to support it – and we appreciate that very much. We went through a very difficult week in which everything Maccabi Haifa represents – our organizational culture, vision and status in Israeli football – was put to the test.
But in the face of this crisis, we receive reinforcements and support from tens of thousands of fans for whom Maccabi Haifa is a way of life. I know that we will get through this crisis. We will emerge stronger, and we will continue together to achieve our goals. All of us at the club will continue to act with determination to protect our interests and keep the club a proud home for all its fans.