New disciplinary measures for matches interrupted by fan riots

The Football Association management will discuss today, Sunday, a proposal to approve significant changes to the championship and disciplinary regulations. These measures follow the work of a special committee established at the end of last season to address matches interrupted or cancelled due to fan misconduct.

The committee was formed following a series of incidents that resulted in match cancellations and technical losses, with the goal of maintaining the sporting outcome on the pitch while ensuring effective deterrence.

The committee conducted a comprehensive review of the situation in Israel and globally, including an analysis of international precedents and consultations with club representatives, legal experts, and referees. The resulting recommendations will be presented to the management today.

Key recommendations include:

1. If a match does not start due to fan riots, the default will be a replay without an audience, subject to judicial discretion in exceptional cases.

2. If a match is stopped during play, the default will be a continuation without an audience, allowing the court to consider the circumstances, the timing of the stoppage, and the score at that moment.

3. If the away crowd is responsible for the incident, the replay will take place without away fans, and the visiting team will bear the costs of the match.

4. Disciplinary proceedings to determine the fate of the match will be conducted within 48 hours of its cancellation.

On the disciplinary level, point deductions for fan behavior leading to match cancellation will be increased from 1 to 2 points. Teams may have one point converted to a suspended sentence if they prove they took real action against the responsible fans.

Additionally, the policy regarding bans on ticket sales to away crowds has been amended. Such a punishment will not be served twice consecutively against the same team, and will be postponed to the following match if necessary. Furthermore, in the second round of the upper playoffs, this ban will not be applied to the "match of the season" between the top two ranked teams.