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Berkovic: I may not carry on after derby debacle

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Eyal Berkovic has threatened to step down as manager of Hapoel following the shameful scenes which resulted in the Tel Aviv derby being abandoned.

Thirteen fans were arrested after the Ligat Ha’Al clash against defending champions Maccabi erupted following an attack on Eran Zahavi.

Just minutes after Zahavi had equalised against his former club, a bare-chested fan ran on to the pitch and attacked the striker who defended himself by shoving the man and kicking out.

The supporter was eventually escorted away by police, while Zahavi was shown a red card for retaliation. Play was halted for several minutes as Zahavi and his teammates protested.

The match restarted momentarily but a pitch invasion saw the referee call the teams off.

Berkovic said: “This was not a game of football, it was war. I’m stunned and ashamed to be involved in football on a day like today.

“Both clubs and both sets of supporters must be severely punished for what happened here.”

Referee Roy Reinschreiber was criticised for sending off Zahavi, although he has been backed by the Israel Referees Association. However, Berkovic jumped to the defence of the Maccabi player, saying: “If I’d have been in Zahavi’s position, I would have behaved in exactly the same way. The referee should never have sent him off.

“Incidents like this make me want to quit and I don’t know if I have the desire to carry on.” He suggested that the league is suspended until there is a plan in place to stop animosity between rival fans.

Maccabi director of football Jordy Cruyff has called for a review of security at grounds. “Zahavi should have been better protected from the crowd,” he said. “I hope he doesn’t leave the country because of this madness.”

Israel FA chairman Ofer Eini says the organisation will deal with the incident with a firm hand. “Nothing can justify such a violent end to a football match,” he said.

“I view very gravely the fact that the match had to be abandoned and I’m concerned that violence has reared its head in this dangerous way.

“The Israel FA will not only bring to justice those responsible for this, but will also lead a determined and major campaign against violence in football and a return to sanity.”

Twelve fans were later released without charges, although investigations continue.
Elroy Yedai, the fan who attacked Zahavi, has been remanded for three days for further questioning by a Tel Aviv Magistrates Court.

Judge Yaron Gat refused to release him on the grounds that he is a danger to the public.

Meanwhile, Israeli police have sent an officer to guard Zahavi’s home.

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