"Game of the season, game about the future of the club."
This is how players in Betar Jerusalem define the critical battle on Saturday (19:50) against Hapoel Nof Hagalil, which is fighting them against relegation to the national league.
But even if Betar succeeds in this game, and also the head-to-head battles that follow against Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Jerusalem, the future of the club is in the fog.
Senior Israeli football officials and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon have been working behind the scenes in recent weeks to find Betar Jerusalem a buyer for next season, but so far the savior does not seem to be on the way.
A buyer is the ideal solution to Betar's difficult situation, but the chances of that do not seem high. They saw about two months ago how no one was willing to give a loan to the group, and understand that bringing a buyer into the existing situation is an almost impossible task.
Waiting for the buyer will put the team in financial stagnation from the end of the current month, when there will be no money left in the club's coffers and it will not be possible to pay the players and employees the salary of May.
The stalemate will also be related to the professional side, because even if the team stays in the league, how will Betar be able to extend contracts for the players? How will they be able to sign new players?
Ophir Kriaf.
"Everyone is in pain but needs to enlist," Photo: Alan Schieber
If a buyer does not come to save the club, the understanding is that the best thing for his future would be to go to court and start a liquidation procedure, for all its dire consequences.
A source close to Betar leaders: "There is no other option but to dissolve.
No one will put money now, certainly when he does not know what awaits him behind his back.
Whoever takes the group from liquidation will get it with debt protection.
"If they were going to be disbanded a few months ago, the team would certainly be relegated, but if the team stays, you can put up a nice squad and face the penalty reduction of 9 points."
A liquidation procedure is really not simple, and there are many factors in Betar who would prefer not to reach it, especially the employees and players who hold contracts. Once there is a liquidation they will become creditors, but it is difficult to see another solution.
Another problem with dissolution is related to the recommendation of the League Administration, which from next season, any team that reaches the dissolution will be relegated automatically at the end of that season and regardless of its position in the table, instead of a 9-point reduction.
This decision requires a change in the rules of the Football Association, and this change has not yet been made, but can certainly be made in the near future.
This means that Betar will have to make painful and difficult decisions regarding disbandment immediately after the end of the season, but even before that they will have to ensure their stay in the league.
Michael Ohana in doubt
Contact Michael Ohana, who did not train due to a groin injury, is in doubt for the game against Nof Hagalil, and if he does not manage to finish the concluding training - he will be absent, and his place in the team will be taken by Liran Rotman.
Max Grechkin, returning from injury, is in the squad photo.
Richmond Boachi has recovered from an ankle injury and will be on the squad for the game.
"Everyone understands that we are in money-time and all the meanings," said captain Ophir Krieff. The Galilee landscape, it will give us air to continue on the road. "
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