update deskSports

Israeli soccer club drops goalie who played on PA team

Public pressure led Hapoel Beit She’an to dismiss Ganem Mahajna, who played for a Palestinian team in 2017.

The Hapoel Beit She’an soccer club released Ganem Mahajna, Dec. 22, 2024. Credit: Hapoel Beit She'an.
The Hapoel Beit She’an soccer club released Ganem Mahajna, Dec. 22, 2024. Credit: Hapoel Beit She'an.

An Israeli soccer team has fired a goalie just a week after hiring him following backlash from fans over his appearance with a Palestinian Authority team in 2017.

Hapoel Beit She’an F.C.’s manager had initially come out in support of Ganem Mahanja, 33, saying the club “believes in true coexistence” and that the outraged fans “do not even attend the games.”

However, the Israeli Arab player was subsequently let go, before having the chance to take the field with the team.

Topics