A few hours before the opening of the Toto Cup final, today (Wednesday) the management of the leagues, Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv issued a joint call to the fans to come support their teams, but to avoid confrontations with the opposing team’s players and crowd.
Ben Mansford, CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv: “We are experiencing very difficult days and our thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones and with the families who are in constant concern for the fate of their daughters and sons who maintain the security of the country. We are lucky to have been given the privilege to play soccer tonight in the final of the Toto Cup. The sporting rivalry is at the root of every meeting between rival teams and I am sure that the fans of the teams will do everything to support their team, at the same time and especially in these difficult days. Let’s make sure that at the end of the game we will talk about football and the game itself and not about anything else except the pleasure that this wonderful game gives us.”
Itzik Ovadia, CEO of Maccabi Haifa: “We are all experiencing a period that is more difficult than we have known. Every day, the names and stories of lives that were harvested in their sorrow and pain are echoed. Football during this time serves as a refuge, but our hearts are full of concern for those who sacrifice their souls on the front so that we can have a routine and play football. To all those heroes at the front, I have one request, to maintain the unity of the association, everywhere and on the football fields. And this evening even more so. We will continue to encourage and push each and every one of our teams, with respect and sportsmanship.”
Chairman of the Leagues Directorate Erez Kalfon: “For several months now, all of our hearts have been in Gaza and on the northern border – with the abductees, with the IDF soldiers who fight together shoulder to shoulder and with the IDF martyrs who, thanks to their sacrifice, can continue to play football on the home front. On other days, tonight’s game was a celebration of Israeli football at the highest level. But tonight, alongside the joy and the desire to forever be with a tear in the eye and a heavy heart. Tonight we are all Israelis first – we are all one people. I am addressing the fans on both sides; Please come to the game to support your team in a sporting and non-violent manner.”
