A showcase tournament against the violence on the pitches under the title "Football in the colors of the rainbow" took place as part of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Pride events.
The joint event for the Herzliya Municipality, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and the "Kicking the Violence and Racism Off the Fields" program of the New Israel Foundation, was held at Sportek Herzliya.
The tournament, which was held in the presence of Herzliya Mayor Moshe Fadlon, was attended by the football team of the Proud Sports Club, the team of artists for the community and the football teams of Tel Aviv and Herzliya in which past stars played football.
Among others, Avi Nemani, Guy Tzarfati, David Revivo and Haim Sylves participated in the tournament, along with Dean Miroshnikov, Bar Brimmer, Ben Ben Baruch, Amiram Tovim and more.
Maccabi Petah Tikva goalkeeper Danny Amos also came to support.
The games were judged by football referees Liran Liani, who finished a glorious refereeing career this season, and Roi Hassan, the first football referee in Israel outside the closet.
The Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and the holder of the proud community portfolio, Meital Lehavi: "The football tournament against violence and homophobia combines values that are at the heart of the sporting spirit. The players on the field are measured in their achievements and abilities. "A proud team, a team of artists and a veteran team will compete with each other - and they will see that everyone has a place on the pitch. I support zero tolerance for violence on the pitches and the removal of violent fans from the games."
The deputy mayor of Herzliya and holder of the sports portfolio and the portfolio of tolerance and pride, Ofer Levy, a former player at Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bnei Yehuda, who also played in the tournament: "The football tournament against violence and homophobia is not just another game.
Sport is known as a unifying and consolidating thing and this is a great opportunity for us to set an example and apply the values of equality and tolerance that we desire for them.
Both on the field and in real life.
I would like to thank the new foundation 'Kicking the Racism and Violence from the Fields', the Proud Sports Club, the 'Artists for the Community' group, the Tel Aviv Municipality and of course the Herzliya Municipality for creating this unique and important event together. "
Chairman of the Sports Committee of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, Member of the City Council Anat Ben-Levi Ilizarov: "Sport is one of the most effective ways of educating and instilling values of mutual respect, patience and forbearance.
"Sport is beneficial to society's health by educating for fairness, respect for others and equality."
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