In the 2016-2017 season, a new record low 35 cases of racist chanting was recorded by Beitar fans and last season the figure was halved to just 17.
KIO Israel observers increasingly reported Beitar fans silencing supporters who started chanting. Most importantly, the club itself has worked to stamp out racism.
Beitar’s new owner Moshe Hogeg, a billionaire in high tech, has also committed himself to eliminating the darker reputation after buying the club at the start of the season, when he discussed the damage to the club’s reputation with fans.
On the pitch, Beitar is languishing in the bottom half of Israel’s Premier League, but Mr Hogeg reacted enthusiastically to KIO’s findings.
“This is our biggest achievement at Beitar since I joined. I’m proud of the fans and very happy,” he said.
Itzik Shanan, KIO’s executive chairman, admitted he was pleasantly surprised by this season’s breakthrough at Beitar: “We welcome the work being done by Beitar’s management and we have certainly felt a new atmosphere at the club and determination to stamp out racism.
“This is a process that has been going on for a few years but there is still no room for complacency.
“We must remember that Beitar is still the only club in Israel never to have signed an Arab player.”
