Two Hapoel Tel Aviv players have been banned for unsportmanlike behavior and the Israeli club has been sanctioned for fan violence during last week’s loss to fierce rival Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In unprecedented punishments announced by the Israel Football Association on Sunday, Avihai Yadin was suspended for 12 games and Salim Toama for six. Fans are banned from Hapoel’s next three home matches and the club was fined 40,000 shekels ($10,500).
Toama and Yadin argued vehemently with referee Menashe Moshiach after receiving red cards late in the March 4 game at Bloomfield Stadium. The match ended with hundreds of Hapoel fans throwing garbage and flag poles on to the field.
The loss was Hapoel’s first to Maccabi since 2008.
