Israeli soccer leagues launch open-ended strike over sponsorship delay

Sport's bosses slam government failure to sign deal; Monday's Israel-Italy World Cup qualifier will still go ahead

By Sue Surkes
  • Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter
 30 August 2016, 6:21 pm
Ofer Eini, head of the Israel Football Association (IFA), speaks during the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich on May 29, 2015. (AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BUHOLZER)

Israel’s soccer leagues went on an open-ended strike Tuesday to protest foot-dragging over a sponsorship deal between the Israel Football Association and the Toto Winner company, which manages sports betting in Israel.

The 2018 World Cup qualifying game between Israel and Italy will still go ahead as planned on Monday, however.

Ofer Eini, president of the Israel Football Association, and Premier League director-general Oren Hasson informed Sports Minister MIri Regev and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on Tuesday that the strike was beginning, Channel 10 reported.

“Despite repeated assurances given to us that the issue will be resolved, a sponsorship deal with Toto Winner has not been signed,” they told the ministers. “As a result…we are forced to inform you that all Israeli soccer activity stops from today.”

Hapoel Beersheba fans wave Israeli flags before the UEFA Champions League group stages play-off soccer match between Celtic and Hapoel Beersheba at the Turner Stadium in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on August 23, 2016. (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP)

Given that the leagues are on a break for another two weeks, the move gives the various bodies involved time to reach an agreement. In the next few days, it will only affect children’s and youth league games, the Calcalist website said.

Several months ago, Toto, the soccer association and the Premier League agreed with the sports and finance ministries on a marketing deal and financial help to cover security, but according to Calcalist, the deal was not signed because of Toto’s demands and legal issues.

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