Soccer / Big clubs fight small clubs over Luzon plan
By Moshe Boker
Israel Football Association Chairman Avi Luzon and two owners of senior soccer clubs were at loggerheads yesterday over a proposal to reform the structure of Israel's three top soccer tiers.
During the IFA board meeting, Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Netanya owners Yaakov Shahar and Daniel Jammer voiced their opposition to Luzon's proposal, which, among other things, would increase the size of the Premier League from 12 to 16 clubs.
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"Look at these people - only three months in Israeli soccer and he wants to run the show," Moshe Damayo, the director general of Bnei Yehuda and a staunch supporter of Luzon, sniffed, referring to German businessman Jammer, who bought Netanya earlier this season. "Who does he think he is? Do whatever you want and move this thing forward."
Luzon replied to Damayo: "The proposal will be brought to a vote. If they want to, they can vote against. In any case I have a majority."
Beitar waits in wings
Meanwhile, Beitar Jerusalem officials have not yet responded whether they would vote in favor of the proposal, due to its plan to impose a limit on how much clubs can pay their players. According to the plan, a cap of NIS 40 million before taxes will be imposed gradually over the next two years.
Another issue discussed yesterday was a proposal that would strip Premier League champions of their title should their supporters burst onto the pitch during a match, as Beitar fans did against Maccabi Herzliya last month.
"This proposal isn't aimed at Beitar," Hezi Magen, Bnei Yehuda chairman, said. "It's for the benefit of Israeli soccer as a whole. It's about time we start behaving like they do in Europe. Should thousands of supporters storm a field, then the club's trophies - whether it is the championship, cup or whatever - will be taken away."
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