The club issued a statement Wednesday evening after a fan was evacuated to the hospital during a match, wishing the fan a speedy recovery and stressing that the incident is under investigation. The statement, reported by N12's Ben Goldfriend, emphasizes that 'the blood of the fans is not free.'
Hapoel Petah Tikva issued a statement Wednesday evening, hours after clashes at Shlomo Bitach Stadium left a fan hospitalized and three ushers arrested. The club wished the fan a speedy recovery and declared that 'the blood of the fans is not free,' underscoring its stance against violence directed at its supporters. The club confirmed the incident is under investigation.
The Zioneer first reported the brawl at 21:51 Jerusalem, when a confrontation between security guards and fans erupted before the Toto Cup match against Maccabi Netanya. Within minutes, reports emerged that a usher had allegedly struck a fan with an iron bar (21:51), and the fan was evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in moderate-to-mild condition after witnesses said fans had hurled racist remarks at ushers (21:51). i24NEWS then reported that three ushers were arrested following the clashes (21:51), and subsequent reports confirmed the fan sustained a head injury (21:51). The club's statement, reported by N12's Ben Goldfriend, was the first official response from the team.
The Zioneer has previously reported on security incidents at Israeli sporting events, including a July 14 incident in which a fan was arrested on suspicion of punching a security guard and fans were accused of spitting and moving magnetometers. In a separate case on July 23, Beitar Jerusalem denied that its fans caused damage in Larnaca, stating that tear gas was used against AEK fans who initiated a confrontation.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the club has not disclosed the fan's current condition or the specific circumstances that led to the confrontation. The phrase 'the blood of the fans is not free' was attributed to the club by N12, and no further details on the fan's status have been released.
7 developments
- StrongTen minors arrested for assaulting boy near shopping mall in Petah Tikva
- DevelopingSeven fans detained after Champion of Champions match in Be'er Sheva
- DevelopingPolice arrest Petah Tikva man on suspicion of drug trafficking; large quantities seized
- DevelopingSeven arrested in Beit Safafa brawl, officer lightly wounded by rocks
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