Barkat ready for Euro test

Last week Steaua owner Gigi Becali said: “I don’t fight with women, I will ignore her. I think women shouldn’t be in football. If Alona comes to the return leg, I will respect her, show her my appreciation, but I won’t talk about football with her.”

Hapoel spokesman Gil Lebanony told the JC: “As the club’s owner Alona attends every Hapoel match. We are not commenting on what was said.”

Becali did not attend his team’s 2-1 victory last week in Beer Sheva, and when asked if Barkat would shake hands with him in Romania, Lebanony replied: “Yes. Hapoel Beer Sheva is a club that respects everybody regardless of gender, religion or race.”

That cannot be said of Becali who is known for his racist, sexist and homophobic views. A former member of the Romanian parliament, he was forced to resign after being convicted for corruption. Becali once said that a woman has no value after giving birth.