Local Soccer: Gaydamak's future uncertain

Rumors will need to be put aside for Betar's clash with Netanya.

By ALLON SINAI
Published: NOVEMBER 17, 2008 02:42
gaydamak aj 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
gaydamak aj 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Betar Jerusalem will need to put all the uncertainty regarding the future of its owner Arkadi Gaydamak aside when it visits Maccabi Netanya on Monday. Since the disappointment of only garnering 3.6 percent of the vote in the Jerusalem mayoral elections, Gaydamak is rumored to be considering selling the club or taking a back seat in the running of the two-time defending league champion. Gaydamak has yet to make a public comment on his future plans and the issue has become a distraction ahead of Monday's crucial match. Betar will fall 13 points behind Netanya should the Premier League's only remaining unbeaten side win on Monday. Jerusalem coach Reuven Atar will make his first return to Netanya since his contract at the club wasn't renewed and he was replaced by Lothar Matthaus in the summer despite guiding the team to a second place finish two seasons in a row. Atar's Netanya lost all three meetings against Betar last season, but the coach can't afford to be on the losing side once more. Jerusalem will be boosted by the fact that all three of its wins this season have come away from home, but Netanya will be high on confidence, entering the match on the back of its outstanding 3-2 victory at Maccabi Haifa last week.