Zahavi suspension stands, avoids further punishment

Maccabi filed a request with the IFA high court on Tuesday demanding that Zahavi be allowed to take part in Sunday’s encounter due to the special circumstances that led to his sending off.

By ALLON SINAI
A shirtless fan takes a swing at Maccabi Tel Aviv's Eran Zahavi (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
A shirtless fan takes a swing at Maccabi Tel Aviv's Eran Zahavi
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
The Israel Football Association announced on Wednesday that Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Eran Zahavi will not face disciplinary action for his part in the brawl with a Hapoel Tel Aviv fan on Monday.
However, Zahavi’s red card will not be rescinded and he is, therefore, set to miss the yellowand- blue’s next Premier League match against Maccabi Netanya on Sunday.
Maccabi filed a request with the IFA high court on Tuesday demanding that Zahavi be allowed to take part in Sunday’s encounter due to the special circumstances that led to his sending off. However, the appeal is likely to be turned down.
During the 33rd minute of the derby between Hapoel and Maccabi at Bloomfield Stadium, with the score tied at 1-1, a Hapoel fan jumped out of the stands and ran onto the pitch to confront Zahavi. The two exchanged blows for over 10 seconds until the intruder was finally pulled away by the stewards. Zahavi was sent off for his part in the fracas and it took over 10 minutes until the match could be resumed.
However, the game was stopped for good only several seconds later after Maccabi fans burst onto the pitch.
The IFA announced on Wednesday that both Hapoel and Maccabi will face charges relating to the shocking behavior of their fans. They will present their cases to the court on Monday.
Both clubs could receive point deductions, fines and be forced to host matches away from Bloomfield. The IFA court will also have to determine if the derby should be restarted at the point it was stopped, replayed or completely canceled, with neither team to receive any points.
As well as both clubs, Maccabi defender Carlos Garcia will stand trial for calling on his team’s supporters to burst onto the pitch following Zahavi’s sending off.
Maccabi goalkeeping coach Aleksandr Uvarov will not face charges despite the claims that he was also involved in inciting the club’s fans.
The remand of seven of the suspects allegedly involved in the brawl outside a Tel Aviv courthouse on Tuesday, including the son of MK Dov Henin (Hadash), was extended by six days on Wednesday.
The plaza outside the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court was the site of the fight, as supporters from both teams exchanged blows following a remand hearing for fans arrested during the derby.