After earlier today (Friday) a number of Hapoel Tel Aviv fans arrived at the team's practice at the Wolfson Complex and caused it to be stopped, the club's owner, David Mintzberg, addressed the crowd: "Unfortunately, on Wednesday and Friday, small groups of people came to the training facility and disrupted the team's training. This after Flares were thrown on the pitch in our last two games. These actions hurt the club."
Mintzberg went on to explain the damage caused by the actions: "The damage to our training facility - and the money we are now forced to spend on strengthening the security system and investigating the cases, adds to the club's financial obligations and forces us to save expenses in other areas. Throwing flares onto the field during games could lead to financial penalties, expulsions From away games, suspensions/arrests, and even points reduction."
A flare that was thrown onto the field during the match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Betrim Yam, photo: Alan Shiver
"These actions do not provide motivation, only distraction and interference."
The owner continued, addressing the fans who did this: "They have not helped the club achieve success over the past 10 years, and there is no reason to think they will now. More importantly, the actions are harmful and disrespectful to the players, coaches and staff, as well as the majority of fans who do not support this behavior. In light of this, we ask the people who committed these acts to contact the head of the fan relations system, Shavit Elimelech - and identify themselves, so that we can find a solution together."
Finally, Mintzberg clarified what will happen if the fans who blew up the practice and threw flares on the grass do not turn themselves in: "If this does not happen, we will have to invest additional resources in identifying those people and they will be held responsible. If this does not work, we may have to take additional steps to prevent further incidents They will divert resources from the club and harm the fans' experience."
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A poignant message, photo: Alan Shiver
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