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'I've been stabbed in the back twice'
By Matan Krakow

Shocking, astonishing, scandalous, disgraceful, shameful.

These were some of the words that were bandied about by Beitar Jerusalem officials in the aftermath of yesterday's decision by the IFA.
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It is difficult to find anyone who took the decision harder than Beitar owner, Russian-Israeli oligarch Arcadi Gaydamak, who clearly feels that he has been stabbed in the back twice - once by his own team's unruly fans and again by Israel's soccer authorities.

During a long conversation with Haaretz last night, Gaydamak hinted that he may even divest his interests in Beitar as a result of this affair.

"As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between the utter irresponsibility of the fans who burst onto the pitch and that of the IFA, which appears to have lost all semblance of sanity. It seems that no one really cares about Israeli soccer. In the end, all that has happened is that I am being punished twice - once by the fans and once by the IFA - both of whom need me, and both of whom get a lot of financial support from me. Who do these impudent people think they are? Do I need them? The fans? The IFA? I enjoy bringing joy to the fans and to the people of Jerusalem and Israelis in general - but what do I get in return? Is there no limit to the irresponsibility?"

Beitar players were also stunned by the severity of the punishment.

"I'm shocked," said Arik Benado. "I'm almost speechless. It's just a massive blow. We worked so hard for this championship and now the IFA is trying to ruin it for us."
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