Three security guards were arrested after a violent brawl broke out between staff and Hapoel Petah Tikva supporters during a Toto Cup match at the Shlomo Beithour Stadium, leaving one fan hospitalized with a head injury and triggering an urgent police investigation.
Stadium Chaos Erupts in the Stands During Toto Cup Match
The fixture between Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya took a volatile turn during the halftime interval on Wednesday evening. While players and officials remained inside the dressing rooms, an intense confrontation developed in the stands between club supporters and stadium security personnel.
According to witness accounts from the scene, the dispute began when stewards asked members of the Hapoel Petah Tikva fan organization to step down from a designated platform that had previously been approved for their use. The supporters refused to vacate the area, arguing that their placement was authorized. Verbal insults quickly escalated into physical hostility, with stewards throwing chairs into the stands as the situation spun out of control.
Video Evidence Shows Guard Striking Fan With Iron Rod
Video recordings showed one of the security guards striking supporters with a metal rod.
The violence left multiple individuals injured and required the intervention of elite Yasam police forces, who climbed into the stands to restore order. One fan suffering from a blow to the head was transported to the hospital, with initial reports varying between a mild and moderate-to-mild condition.
Arrests Made and Security Credential Investigation Launched
Law enforcement authorities moved swiftly following the disturbance. Three security guards were arrested in connection with the brawl. Investigators identified one of the detained suspects—the individual filmed striking a supporter in the head—as a resident of East Jerusalem. According to police statements, additional suspects were detained for questioning while others faced remand hearings.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, investigators demanded that the security manager surrender the credentials of all working stewards to police researchers for verification.
League Leadership Demands Permanent Bans for Involved Guards
The incident provoked an immediate and forceful response from the upper echelons of Israeli football administration. Erez Kalfon, chairman of the Professional Football Leagues Board, dispatched an urgent letter to Itzik Amir, head of the sports violence prevention unit, demanding a thorough criminal investigation.
I was shocked by the grave incident that occurred in the match, involving two security guards. This is an unacceptable event that harms fan safety and public trust in the security system at football pitches. Erez Kalfon, Chairman of the Professional Football Leagues Board
Kalfon went further, pressing authorities to strip the implicated personnel of their professional licensing. He demanded the immediate revocation of security licenses for the guards involved and their permanent banishment from all stadiums, prohibiting them from entering arenas either as staff or as spectators.
Club Statements and the Wider Context of Supporter Safety
Leadership at Hapoel Petah Tikva released a statement emphasizing that the events on the pitch had been completely overshadowed by the violence in the stands.
Following the shocking attack by the guards on the club’s fans at halftime, football is no longer interesting. We wish a speedy recovery to the club fan evacuated to the hospital and remind everyone that fan blood is not cheap. The incident is being investigated and we are cooperating with the police on the matter, while demanding the arrest of those involved. Hapoel Petah Tikva, Club Statement
Despite the severe unrest and the temporary suspension of play required to clear the stands, the match eventually resumed and concluded.
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