Following the attack on the referee: Ofer Yana'i will be prosecuted

Ofer Yana'i, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, will face disciplinary proceedings following his harsh remarks against referee Seffi Shamesh and the referees' union after the derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup. The disciplinary prosecutor determined that Yana'i crossed the line between criticism and slander and defamation, and demanded a financial fine be imposed on him.

Ofer Yana'i, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, will face disciplinary proceedings following his harsh remarks against referee Seffi Shamesh and the referees' union after the derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup. The disciplinary prosecutor of the Basketball Association, attorney Itamar Lipner, determined that some of Yana'i's statements exceeded the bounds of legitimate criticism, particularly the reference to Shamesh's age and abilities, which he said constitutes defamation based on age. Yana'i attacked Shamesh in an interview with Sport Channel, saying he "barely moves, barely sees, barely pays attention to what's happening." Lipner emphasized that a clear line exists between criticism and slander and defamation, and that Yana'i crossed that line. The prosecutor requested that the court impose an actual financial fine on Yana'i, but left the amount to the judges' discretion.