Shino Zoaretz demands NIS 1 million from Issawi Frej before lawsuit

Shino Zoaretz, chairman of the Israel Football Association, sent a pre-lawsuit letter to former minister Issawi Frej demanding NIS 1 million, an apology, and a public retraction following Frej's allegations of election bribery. Zoaretz denies the claims and has received backing from the budget oversight chair.

Shino Zoaretz, chairman of the Israel Football Association, sent a pre-lawsuit defamation letter to former minister Issawi Frej demanding NIS 1 million in compensation, a public apology, and a retraction. The letter follows allegations Frej made in an interview on the sports channel's program "Press Box," claiming Zoaretz used budget oversight mechanisms to pressure clubs. Frej alleged that five or six Liga Alef teams reported that their budget approvals were deliberately delayed and conditioned on signing support forms for Zoaretz, calling it "election bribery" and claiming to have recordings. Zoaretz flatly denies the accusations, and budget oversight chair Sigalit Seig clarified that Zoaretz never contacted her to exert pressure. Zoaretz's lawyers stated that if Frej does not meet the demands within seven days, a lawsuit will be filed. Frej responded: "First they block, then they cry and sue. We welcome any move that brings the truth to light."