Israeli police have arrested 17 individuals, including players and senior club officials from FC Kiryat Yam, as part of an investigation into match-fixing and money laundering linked to illegal gambling. The arrests were made on January 26, 2026, after police detained the suspects during morning raids in their homes. It’s believed that both players and
Israeli police have arrested 17 individuals, including players and senior club officials from FC Kiryat Yam, as part of an investigation into match-fixing and money laundering linked to illegal gambling.
The arrests were made on January 26, 2026, after police detained the suspects during morning raids in their homes. It’s believed that both players and high-ranking officials have taken part in the scheme over the last three years.
The arrests follow an undercover investigation that has been going on for months in collaboration with the Israel Football Association. Initially, the operation was launched over club management concerns and later developed into suspicions about organized crime based on the club’s financial and administrative activities.
Investigators believe that an organized crime network used the club to launder money generated from illegal gambling. Betting operations were conducted both in Israel and abroad on predetermined match outcomes, and players were signed on multiple contracts.
Kiryat Yam Club chairman Nissim Alfasi stressed:
“I am shocked and don’t understand what they want from us. The club operates 1,000 percent legally.”
Lawyers representing the arrested players have announced that their clients reject the accusations and have published a joint statement denying the allegations. They additionally claimed that some entities are trying to prevent the club from being promoted to the Premier League.