17 members of 'Israeli' soccer team arrested in match-fixing, gambling probe

• 17 players and officials arrested in 'Israel' over alleged match-fixing and money laundering in second-tier soccer.

'Israeli' police have arrested 17 people affiliated with a second-tier soccer team in a probe into match-fixing and money laundering, authorities said on Monday.

Those detained include current players and senior club administrators suspected of involvement in manipulating match results over several years, police added.

Club Not Officially Named

Police did not publicly identify the club, stating only that it competes in 'Israel’s' National League, the country’s second division. However, several Hebrew media outlets report that the team in question is F.C. Kiryat Yam, based near Haifa.

Alleged Criminal Ties

Authorities allege that those arrested have connections to a criminal organization that used the club to launder millions of shekels. Methods reportedly included illicit gambling operations and signing multiple contracts with players to facilitate the scheme.

The investigation was carried out in coordination with the 'Israel' Football Association.

Documentation and Public Statement

The official Israel Police account on X (formerly Twitter) shared a video documenting the arrests, noting:

“Prohibited gambling, taking bribes in competitions, Documentation from the arrest activity of the Central Unit of the Coastal District in investigating the suspicion of match-fixing by a team in the National Football League involving a criminal organization.”

The police investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are reviewing the full extent of the alleged match-fixing and financial crimes.