"Beitar has lost a legend": Shimon Chernuha passes away at 78

Beitar Jerusalem football club announced on Wednesday the passing of Shimon Chernuha, one of the club's greatest players and most iconic symbols, who died at the age of 78.

Chernuha was born in 1948 to Holocaust survivor parents and immigrated to Israel as an infant. He began his football career in the Beitar Jerusalem youth department and was promoted to the senior team at just 15 years old. Throughout his years at the club, he was considered a pillar of the "yellow-black" defense, a tough defender and a natural leader on the pitch.

In 1968, Chernuha reached a historic milestone by becoming the first player in Beitar Jerusalem history to wear the Israeli national team uniform. After retiring, he continued to serve the club as a youth coach, mentoring generations of players, including Aviram Bruchian and Amit Ben Shushan.

In 2020, Chernuha was inducted into the Beitar Jerusalem Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Teddy Stadium. Club owner Barak Abramov paid tribute to his legacy:

"Chernuha was a symbol for every Beitar fan and carried the club's emblem with great pride. I share in the family's grief, and we will ensure his memory is honored before our home crowd."

Aviram Bruchian, who developed under his guidance in the youth department, added:

"Shimon was an amazing man, a person defined by his selflessness. Beitar Jerusalem has lost a true symbol, whose passion and love for the club exceeded even that of the most devoted fan."