Kalfon: 'Remove the security guards permanently'

The brawl between security guards and Hapoel Petah Tikva fans on Wednesday night, during which one of the security guards was filmed hitting a fan with a baton, continues to stir Israeli football. Following the incident, the chairman of the Leagues Administration, Erez Kalfon, published a sharp letter sent to Police Commissioner Dani Levy, the head of the Sports Violence Prevention Department Itzik Amir, and the Director General of the Ministry of Culture and Sport Kfir Cohen.

'I was shocked by the serious incident that occurred at the Hapoel Petah Tikva match, in which two security personnel were involved. This is an unacceptable incident that harms the safety of the fans and the public's trust in the security system at football stadiums. I request that you act to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation of the incident and to bring all those involved to justice. At the same time, I demand immediate action to revoke the security licenses of the two involved guards, and to ban them permanently from football stadiums, both as security guards and as spectators.'

In conclusion, Kalfon added: 'Alongside handling this case, we must immediately promote steps that will strengthen the security system and expand the circle of high-quality security guards, including recognizing security work at sports events as 'preferred work', alongside an arrangement that will allow soldiers in regular service to work in securing games held on weekends, in order to make the security system professional and efficient.'