A storm at the end of the Haifa derby: Maccabi Haifa went out of their way after Elad Hussein took a break from a few seconds to end when the game was completely practical. Club members, who saw the time-out as an act of disrespect, cursed Hussein on going down to the locker room (“Zero, be ashamed of yourself, there are things you don’t do”), and even almost came face to face with him in a physical confrontation. A number of other Hapoel and Maccabi employees came to separate.
In another incident before that, there was also a sharp verbal confrontation between Donta Smith and Naor Sharon on the Maccabi Haifa bench at the end of the third quarter: Smith commented to Sharon on a defensive move, Sharon answered him – and a verbal quarrel developed between the two that also included cursing. Avi Ben Shimol, who did not play tonight, went to reassure the agitated Sharon, who did not really calm down for long moments.
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Elad Hussein Commented at the end on the event that led to the unrest: “I do not understand the problem, the difference determines. This year two rounds are played, not three. If I finish in the table over Maccabi Haifa or Ness Ziona and host them in the playoffs, then it is important. Very simple. I understand. “Their pain and frustration, but I did not do it in order to humiliate. I love the people at Maccabi Haifa, I was there for 3 years and I respect them. I did it solely because of the difference. I do not have to apologize. It is solely basketball.”
By the way, despite the closure, 20 Hapoel Haifa fans came to the hall and waited for the players with fireworks and singing. Watch >>>
