While the Ministry of Health finds it difficult to ratchet up the league's reinstatement programs, the Treasury understands that failure to host games could cost them NIS 150 million. • The state's desire to save spending may pave the way for the outline, and the administration has argued that "this is possible" but the next 24 hours will be critical

• Empty in front of your seat. Soon together again on the field?

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  Ami fat

"The main opponent for the renewal of the Premier League was Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Itamar Grotto." These words were said by more than one Israeli football senior, and in talks with the Ministry of Health, officials in the League Administration claimed that "there was no need to convince Professor Grotto A difference between the return of the football and the stores, super markets or even the schools that are gradually returning now. " 

Until yesterday, the situation was not bright. The programs presented by the ministry of sports were tearful from reality - from the desire to hold a tournament in Eilat to a gradual repetition and holding the league in the summer months. After that, Sports Minister Miri Regev talked about returning as late as May and the Ministry of Health rejected it outright, except that here the Treasury entered the picture and it is precisely he, the one who understands money and less football, changed the picture. 

Finance officials have recommended that all professional sports be returned to the public on May 17, as revealed in a ministry document yesterday. The Treasury understands that the country is also affected, as the sport puts hundreds of millions of shekels a year into taxes and a total of billions of shekels. 

"Probably money plays a major role, so let's go on the financial side," said one of the club's leaders, "maybe through the state coffers the Ministry of Health will understand that there is no problem in playing again in Israel, just as there are now in countries with much higher morbidity rates."

The administration may present a repetition plan to the Ministry of Health, similar to European leagues such as Germany, in hopes of obtaining its approval. Meanwhile, CEO Moshe Bar Good has raised an option to isolate players for a 14-day period and return to games in July, but has made it clear that this plan is not applicable either.

"There is optimism"

In the end, not only is it just health, but also money - lots of money. The football industry rolls NIS 600 million a year, no small amount, so if football doesn't return this season the economic blow to the teams - which will then fall on the Treasury, which just announced NIS 6 billion benefits to the big chains last week - will be huge. 

In a recent conversation between Erez Chalfon's chairman and head of the budget department at Treasury Shaul Meridor, Chalfon explained the situation to Meridor simply: "No problem, let's close the league, but bring me NIS 150 million, otherwise no more football industry." 

The Treasury understands that even if the government does not accept their position on the 17th of the month, it would be better to find another solution acceptable to the Ministry of Health, but still one that significantly reduces the NIS 150 million compensation. "Israel Today" has learned that one of the suggested solutions is to put all groups into two-week isolation in hotels, as the Ministry of Health wants, but on condition that the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Sports carry the expenses. 

Such a program will need immediate approval as time is an important component of it. Furthermore, if the teams have to bear expenses, there are many of them, such as Maccabi Netanya, who will not be able to meet this. 

The expense is calculated by two weeks of isolation, three weeks of full training, and then five weeks of league games - a total of two and a half months of the group's total stay at a hotel - which should end in July, but there may also be changes here. 

"It's possible, just need the approval of Professor Grotto and the CEO a good sign," he said close to the negotiators. "They have already realized that a contagion event as it was in Italy will not be here. This is a good start."

"There is no absolute resistance"

If the Premier League is not renewed, this will have far-reaching consequences for some clubs, as these are financial losses of tens of millions of shekels that it is doubtful whether small groups will be able to meet. Also, the Toto funds "strike" some of the groups about the current season's budget that has not yet ended, as they have been transferred to the Ministry of Finance and not directly to the clubs. 

"There are groups in the league that will simply fall apart," club owners said. "There are groups that rely on the ration money, because they have no owners who donate money. There are people here who need to receive a salary. Even so, the audience revenue section has dropped significantly, The groups are millions of shekels. "

The next 24 hours are critical. The groups believe that the pressure on the heads of the Ministry of Health will produce results, as a government official said: "There is optimism. There is no complete opposition to the renewal of the league, now just looking for the outline."