Basketball Association Criticizes Ofer Yanai Over Remarks About Derby Referee

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The Israel Basketball Association condemned remarks made by Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, about referee Sofi Shamash following the derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to the Association, the remarks border on incitement, and "the blood of the referees is not cheap."

Yanai launched a sharp attack on Shamash following the Winner Cup final, in which Hapoel Tel Aviv lost a 23-point lead and lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to him, Shamash "barely moves, barely sees."

The Basketball Association responded, noting that this is not the first time Yanai has lashed out at referees. The Association stressed that "the blood of the Association's referees is not cheap." Yanai also commented on the status of Itoudis and the future of Katash and Yam Madar at Maccabi.