Kalfon to appeal again to Smotrich: A necessary move for stadium safety

Following a severe violent incident at a Hapoel Petah Tikva match last week, where a steward struck a fan with an iron rod, Erez Kalfon, chairman of the Football Leagues Administration, will appeal again tomorrow (Sunday) to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with an urgent request to include stewarding work at sports events in the list of 'preferred jobs' in the economy.

Walla! Sport has learned that as early as December 2, 2024, Kalfon sent a letter to Minister Smotrich with an urgent request to include security and stewarding at sports events as preferred work for the benefit of stadium crowds. As is known, 'preferred work' for discharged soldiers grants them a state bonus of nearly 12,000 NIS after completing six months of work in various fields, such as gas stations, agriculture, industry, hospitality, and assistance to people with disabilities.

Kalfon argued in his letter that security companies lack sufficient quality personnel to protect football fans. That appeal from nearly two years ago yielded no results, and a subsequent request a few months later also went unanswered.

Tomorrow will mark the third appeal, following the most severe incident of violence last week, in which a steward from Abu Ghosh was filmed hitting a Hapoel Petah Tikva fan, who was lying on the floor in the stands, with an iron rod.

The Administration is confident that if stewarding at sports events becomes a 'preferred job,' many young people discharged from the army will choose to work at sports stadiums, knowing that in addition to their hourly wage, they will receive a state grant.