Sale of Beitar J’lem to Tabib at critical decision

Local Soccer: Hapoel ownership sends letter to IFA demanding Tabib not be allowed to buy J'lem team as he has yet to settle debts with Reds.

By ALLON SINAI
Eli Tabib 370 (photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Eli Tabib 370
(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
The Israel Football Association’s Budget Control Authority is set to determine on Wednesday if Eli Tabib should be allowed to purchase Beitar Jerusalem.
Tabib sold his ownership stake in Hapoel Tel Aviv last year and the Budget Control Authority will have to determine if he has served a yearlong cooling-down period, as required by the IFA’s regulations.
Hapoel’s new ownership, headed by former MK Haim Ramon, sent a letter to the IFA on Tuesday demanding that Tabib not be allowed to buy Beitar as he has yet to settle his debts with the Reds.
According to Hapoel, the club faces lawsuits reaching NIS 30 million from Tabib’s time at the helm. Hapoel sued Tabib for NIS 19 million earlier this week, deducting NIS 11 million it still owes Tabib for the purchase of the club.
The Ramon group agreed to pay Tabib NIS 17 million for Hapoel and is due to transfer him NIS 8 million at the beginning of June after already wiring NIS 6 million.
“Should Tabib be allowed to takeover Beitar that would result in an absurd situation in which as the owner of Beitar he still owes money to Hapoel,” read the club’s letter to the IFA.
Tabib also faces charges for attacking a minor and disruption of justice relating to an incident outside his home last year during a protest by Hapoel fans.
District Court Judge Amnon Straschnov ruled Tabib to be unfit to own a soccer club in August 2000 due to his prior criminal record.
Tabib and representatives of current Beitar owner Arkadi Gaydamak reached an preliminary agreement at the start of the week.
Tabib is set to cover the club’s debts, which are estimated at NIS 12.5 million, while Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat is expected to transfer the club funds to help and pay salaries for April and May.