Massive Match-Fixing Scandal in Israeli Third-Division League
Israeli soccer has been rocked by a massive match-fixing scandal, with investigators uncovering widespread corruption in the third-tier League A North. Around 40 players, club officials, and team owners are implicated in manipulating match outcomes for illegal betting syndicates. The Israel Football Association (IFA) is now pushing for bans, legal action, and even the possible cancellation of the current season.
Investigation Uncovers Widespread Corruption in League A North
A large-scale match-fixing scandal has rocked Israeli soccer, with investigations revealing the manipulation of more than half the games in the third-tier League A North. The scandal, which implicates around 40 players, club officials, and team owners, has prompted the Israel Football Association (IFA) to call for police intervention.
IFA Chairman Moshe Zuares described the revelations as a severe blow to the sport, stressing the urgent need to restore trust in Israeli soccer.
Match-Fixing Linked to Illegal Betting Rings
The scandal came to light when Fadi Mahamid, a youth team director from Umm al-Fahm, admitted to fixing 13 matches during the 2023-24 season. His confession included detailed evidence and led to further investigations by two private firms, which spent six months uncovering the scale of the corruption.
Investigators found that match outcomes were predetermined to benefit illegal betting syndicates, with payments ranging from NIS 10,000 ($2,814) to NIS 100,000 ($28,141) per game. Chat logs between club officials, financial transactions, and player testimonies provided concrete proof of wrongdoing.
Among those implicated is Ahmad Saba’a, a former Israeli Premier League top scorer and current coach of MS Tira. Some suspects reportedly refused lie detector tests, while others failed them, further fueling suspicions of their involvement.
IFA Considers Strong Sanctions and League Suspension
Following these findings, the IFA’s internal disciplinary court has been asked to ban all individuals connected to the scandal. Additionally, officials are debating whether to cancel the current League A North season, though such a move would require legal approval.
The scandal has also drawn UEFA’s attention, with European football’s governing body working alongside Israeli authorities to assess the broader implications for the sport.
IFA prosecutor Gilad Berman emphasized that the corruption was deeply embedded, warning that it threatens the integrity of Israeli soccer. He noted that the scandal extends beyond just a few individuals, with evidence suggesting systemic manipulation that could have impacted young players and clubs at multiple levels.
With mounting pressure for criminal investigations and stricter oversight, the IFA remains committed to restoring transparency in the game. However, the scandal has sparked serious concerns over whether existing safeguards are enough to protect the sport from similar cases in the future.