Rights10/10/2026

Maccabi Haifa Fans Accuse Police of Using Excessive Force

Maccabi Haifa fans allege that police used excessive force and carried out unjustified arrests during matches at Teddy Stadium. Police reject these allegations, while the club has halted ticket sales to its fans for the upcoming match against Hapoel Jerusalem.

Key facts

•Location of the incidents: Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem
•Dates mentioned: 16.10.2021, 24.05.2022, 10.02.2024, and 19.04.2026
•The club did not accept its ticket allocation for the upcoming match
•One fan reported that he had filed a complaint against police officers
•The source did not provide a case number or judicial resolution

A Dispute Spanning Years

The report details confrontations that occurred at Teddy Stadium on October 16, 2021, May 24, 2022, February 10, 2024, and April 19, 2026. The fans and the club describe repeated acts of violence against spectators. Police, for their part, reported public disorder, assaults on police officers, and objects thrown by some fans.

Fans’ Complaints

One fan said that after the match in April, he was beaten, handcuffed, and arrested on suspicion of throwing an object toward a police officer, an allegation he denies. His wife posted bail for his release, and he personally filed a complaint with the Department of Internal Police Investigations against police officers. The source does not state what decision was made regarding the complaint or whether its handling has concluded.

The Club’s Decision and the Police Response

Maccabi Haifa decided not to accept the club’s ticket allocation for the upcoming match in Jerusalem, meaning fans will not be able to purchase tickets through the club. Management based its decision on dozens of video clips from five matches over four years and claimed that it had not seen sufficient change after contacting the Jerusalem District Police. Police strongly rejected the allegation that force was deliberately used against a particular club and explained that officers’ actions are determined according to an assessment of the situation on the ground.

No Judicial Resolution to Date

The article does not mention any legal proceeding, ruling, or specific statutory provision on which the dispute was resolved. Nor were any findings of an official investigation into the substance of the fans’ allegations reported. The Israel Professional Football Leagues and Hapoel Jerusalem invited fans to attend the match and said that separate stands had been prepared and security measures put in place.

What this means for you

The report does not determine that the police actions were unlawful, nor does it confirm the allegations through a judicial resolution. For people attending sporting events, the situation may lead to changes in ticket sales methods, seating arrangements, and security measures, but the source does not definitively clarify whether the match can be attended through other channels.

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