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Israeli soccer has been rocked by a match-fixing scandal that has resulted in the suspension of numerous referees from two leagues. More than half of the Liga Alef North teams and a number of Liga Bet North teams are being investigated for suspected involvement in illicit gambling, according to Israel Football Association (IFA) Chairman Shino Zuaretz. According to reports, the betting activities were funded by organized crime groups.
“This is a sad day for Israeli football. We are not dealing with rumors but facts,” Zuaretz stated at a press conference, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
The IFA, alongside a private investigative firm, has been examining these leagues for the past six months. Evidence suggests corruption has been ongoing since last season, with bets placed through illegal offshore websites. Given the scale of the findings, Zuaretz is considering suspending Liga Alef North temporarily while collaborating with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.
Zuaretz emphasized that the IFA remains committed to cleaning up the sport. “We will investigate and address every piece of information we receive to ensure the game remains clean,” he said. He also assured that individuals involved in match-fixing would face permanent bans.
UEFA has voiced support for the IFA’s actions, reinforcing the importance of maintaining integrity in Israeli soccer. Liga Alef North, consisting of 16 teams, is Israel’s third-tier league, while Liga Bet North, with 32 teams split into two divisions, ranks just below it.
Despite legal sports betting in Israel being regulated by the Israel Sports Betting Board (ISSB), illegal gambling remains a significant issue. Zuaretz estimates that 19 billion shekels are wagered through illicit channels, both domestically and via foreign platforms. He suggested that legalizing live betting could reduce illegal gambling operations.
Meanwhile, a similar scandal in Mexico’s third division has resulted in severe penalties. Seven players received a combined 57 years in suspensions for deliberately losing games by two or more goals. Six players from Real Apodaca and one from Correcaminos UAT faced bans, though the Mexican Football Association has not disclosed their names.
As match-fixing scandals continue to surface globally, authorities in multiple countries are working to protect the integrity of the sport.