A derby game, especially in football, must be a warm and emotional game, because if not, it is not a derby. What happened last night (Wednesday) in Haifa is far beyond a hot derby with emotions. The end of the derby shamed the two clubs first of all and as a result, after seeing the pictures in certain places in the world, he hit the whole of Israeli football. It is by no means possible to move on to the agenda and the expulsion of a number of players necessitates such a serious event.
San Menachem came in with the opening of the second half to strengthen his team when the result was 0: 0. Menachem went into the game in a frenzy, his great desire to win makes sense, but immediately after he scored the winning goal for his team, he behaved in a contemptuous manner towards the Hapoel Haifa players and this behavior was also well received with a juicy curse. Surely San Menachem did not think at that moment that tens of thousands of fans, most of them young people, were watching the game at home, which is what they have to do today during the Corona period. This event must have also lit up the Hapoel Haifa players who were subdued at that moment. But the blood pressure in the football game is only rising, the nerves are in control, the advantage is already 0: 2 for Maccabi Haifa and every little thing can lead to an explosion.
Then the final whistle sounds. With all the nerves and pressure, when all the players get off the field, San Menachem decides to get off the field through the opponent’s bench. I saw the provocative hand movements of San Menachem, it was of course impossible to know what he uttered from his mouth towards the Hapoel Haifa bench, we heard that from Gal Erel, you can believe him and whoever wants does not have to believe him. But the departure of Eden Ben-Best towards San Menachem, ignited a fire in a field of thorns. Suddenly, from all directions, players as well as officials were inside the pitch in a mass brawl. One of them was Maccabi Haifa general manager Assaf Ben Dov. Ben Dov has nothing to look for on the field, his place in the stands next to Yaakov Shachar. The photos from the field did no good to Ben Dov and certainly what Gal Erel said about him.
I do not at all intend to be the referee here, who is right and who is not, who participated in the “battle” and who is not, we will leave that to the referees of the game, the television footage and the disciplinary committee. I can say with certainty that if San Menachem had been home for any reason, we would not have come to this serious incident. San Menachem became the best left defender in the country, everything had to be on the field of play, to continue to succeed and help Maccabi Haifa win the championship and himself to be the left defender of the Israeli team. I do not understand what went through his mind. A professional football player is much more than what he has in his legs, it’s a lot in his head – exemplary behavior, example of young people or as his club declared “the man before the player”. It is a pity that what we remember from the Haifa derby game is the behavior of San Menachem and not his ability and the significant victory of his team in the championship fight against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
When asked Yaakov Shachar, The only boss of Maccabi Haifa, to comment on Joshua’s behavior, Shahar replied, “Two slaps and a plane.” No need for slaps Mr. Dawn, but handsome requires handsome sustains. It’s very interesting how you will act in front of your players and your CEO, but as in a noble case you decided to forgive, there is a situation where you will forgive this time as well. Your players, so in this case no word will help. There was also Hapoel Haifa, certainly not a tallit that is all azure, a senior partner in the challenge. A small number of players who took part in the melee and a large part of the players went down to the locker room in order not to be partners in the embarrassing event, so the players of Hapoel Haifa and the club must also be punished.
This is a big real test for both clubs and especially for owners Yaakov Shachar and Yoav Katz. It will not be possible to bury one’s head in the sand and wait only for the court’s decision. Maccabi Haifa has already issued a laconic announcement to the media an hour after the game, such an unconvincing announcement. “There is no room for violence. We condemn any kind of violence.” The words are beautiful, it’s time for action, no laconic message will erase the stain you were a partner in at the end of a football game. Bottom line, as in the case of Noble Omar, the goal sanctifies the means. Maccabi Haifa wants a championship at any cost and will do nothing to harm the squad.
I remember two games with similar events 9 years ago. Maccabi Petah Tikva against Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Ramat Gan against Bnei Lod. Two games that ended similarly with a mass brawl, player dismissals and moreover, a points drop. I will not go into the tribunal’s considerations, but it owes heavy penalties, because if the players and clubs do not know how to deal with disciplinary violators, that is what the tribunal is for.
Finally, social networks will erupt in the coming days, as it is in 2021, anyone can afford to be a journalist and express their opinion. Already at the end of the game, the Maccabi Haifa players teased those of Hapoel. As long as there is no violence and it is just words there is no problem with it just be careful in writing, do not cause fans to quarrel. Even so, the situation is very sensitive.
The one who went a step further is Alona Barkat, who stung Yaakov Shachar in connection with his statement against Joshua. I suggest to both Mrs. Barkat and Mr. Shahar that each one take care of his own internal problems. If the owners also look at the neighbor’s lawn, the disgusting events we have been watching lately will probably not be resolved.
