Match-fixing scandal rocks Hap PT

According to the police representative in court, directors Sinai and Hatzor were also involved in paying off referees.

By ALLON SINAI
hapoel petah tikva_311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
hapoel petah tikva_311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
The Rishon Lezion District Court extended the remand of Hapoel Petah Tikva directors Tomer Sinai and Gal Hatzor by five days on Tuesday, a day after they were first arrested in suspicion of match fixing.
According to the police representative in court, Sinai and Hatzor were also involved in paying off referees.
Management member Danny Levy, who was questioned on Monday, remains under house arrest.
“The Israel Football Association is closely following the investigation of the owners and directors of Hapoel Petah Tikva,” an press release read.
“We are being updated both by Wizman Yaar Investigations Company and by the law enforcement authorities. When there are criminal suspicions, the IFA is obliged to wait until the investigation’s final conclusion before it can act.”
As if having its bosses under arrest wasn’t bad enough, Petah Tikva’s future was cast into further doubt later Tuesday when the Israel Football Association High Court turned down the club’s appeal and gave it until August 10 to provide proof that Sinai and Hatzor are its lawful owners.
Sinai and Hatzor took control of the club in 2009, replacing Ronen Elad, but never officially registered as its owners with the IFA and the High Court could shut down the club or relegate it from the Premier League if its requests are not met by August 10.