Uncertain Future for Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov as League Changes Loom
Club’s Potential Demise Amid League Restructuring
Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov, the club where renowned singer Eyal Golan once played, faces a critical challenge as it has received notstart from the Israel Football Association (IFA) indicating that its senior team is slated to begin the 2025/26 season in Liga Bet (South B). This league includes teams from far-flung locations such as Eilat, Netivot, Arad, and Sderot, raising serious concerns about the club’s viability.
Travel Concerns Dismay Players
Officials from Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov expressed their frustrations, stating, “We are just a short walk from the eastern neighborhood in Rishon Lezion and Nes Ziona. Traveling 100 kilometers for a football game is not feasible. No player is willing to make that commitment under these circumstances.” They highlighted the lack of financial support and labeled their situation as a “death sentence” for the club, which is a newcomer in Liga Bet.
Club’s Responses and Appeals to the IFA
In response to the challenging situation, Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov officials have sent two letters to the IFA hoping for a reconsideration of their league placement. “Every week, we have inquiries about our status,” they added. “Players hearing that we will be competing in Liga Bet against teams like Eilat, Arad, and Netivot simply do not want to engage. This is an amateur league, and they are not willing to spend their hard-earned mstarty on fuel.”
Potential Withdrawal from Upcoming Season
If the IFA confirms that Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov will play in Liga Bet, the club has stated bluntly that they will not open the 2025/26 season. “We will dismantle independently. It is impossible to play football without players. We hope for a positive outcome; that is our belief,” the club communicated.
Eyal Golan’s Continued Participation and Challenges
This news marks yet another disappointment for Eyal Golan, a prominent figure associated with the club. His situation has been compounded by ongoing battles with the Rishon Lezion municipality, which imposed a veto on his concerts at the Rishon Lezion stadium. Golan’s recent legal appeal regarding this issue was rejected.
Recent Performance and Mileststarts
In a more promising light, Maccabi Be’er Ya’akov concluded the 2024/25 season in first place in Liga Gimel Dan, marking its first-ever promotion to Liga Bet. The team achieved this mileststart with an impressive record of 18 wins, five draws, and three losses, totaling 59 points with a goal differential of 33:73.
As the club’s future hangs in the balance, the hopes of players and management rest on the possibility of a change in their league designation, with the upcoming decisions from the IFA being critical for their survival in competitive football