Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 08, 2007 Iyyar 20, 5767 | | Israel Time: 16:12 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
Beitar Jerusalem fans rushing the field at Teddy Stadium in the capital Sunday night. (Lior Mizrahi / BauBau)
Last update - 09:15 07/05/2007
Two teens in serious condition after Beitar J'lem soccer melee
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent

Two teens, aged 14 and 15, remained in serious condition with head and chest injuries Monday, after they were crushed under other fans as celebrations turned to chaos following a soccer match against Hapoel Petah Tikva at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Sunday.

The two were on respirators, as they are unable to breathe on their own, Army Radio reported.

Magen David Adom emergency services said on Sunday night that more than 40 Beitar Jerusalem fans suffered injuries, most of them minor, following an attempt to enter the field at the end of the game in celebration of the expected league championship.

Advertisement

Newly appointed Police Commissioner David Cohen has ordered an official inquiry regarding the police handling of the mayhem.

Police presence at the stadium was heavy, anticipating the possibility of fan violence. But police commanders had reduced the planned presence from more than 700 officers and security guards, to some 500.

Major General Ilan Franco, police chief of the Jerusalem District admitted after the game that the police had been surprised. "We did not prepare for the possibility that the fans would try to descend from the stands onto the field," he said.

"What happened should not have happened anyway. We deployed a large force and an outbreak toward the field should not have happened," he continued.

"We knew that this was not a championship game [a crowning match] but a regular league game, and it is unfortunate that the crowd acted contrary to all the scenarios we had prepared for. We will have to analyze this and reach conclusions," he added.

The incident occured at the end of the 2-0 Beitar victory in their home stadium over Hapoel Petah Tikva, which increased their lead at the top of the Premier League by eight points.

Immediately following the final whistle, and in spite of warnings to the fans not to try to push toward the field, thousands of Beitar fans did precisely that, moving toward the closed gates separating the stands from the playing field.

Beitar Jerusalem Chairman Eli Arazi said last night: "We agreed to meet and talk with the police, to analyze the events and to take action on the basis of this analysis."

Bookmark to del.icio.us
The reluctant runner
Or Ezrati had never intended to run a marathon, and that's why he was chosen to do it.
For the wrong reason
As the planned film 'Jaffa' stirs up a storm, the director's political views are under fire.
  1.   Unfair to blame police 10:29  |  Dani Reiss 07/05/07
  2.   send you kid to a football match- What animals!!! 11:16  |  silkey 07/05/07
  3.   Responsibility Lies with the PERPETRATORS 12:26  |  Hindanow 07/05/07
  4.   Reply to Silkey 12:32  |  Hindanow 07/05/07
  5.   Of course the police are to blame 13:49  |  Simon 07/05/07
  6.   Simon #5 15:14  |  Dani Reiss 07/05/07
  7.   What`s reasonable? 15:41  |  Simon 07/05/07
  8.   Soccer Violence 16:11  |  Clickfool 07/05/07
 Today Online
Hebrew University dig locates Herod's tomb at Herodium
Responses: 168
Rosner: U.S. women less supportive than men of Israel
Responses: 25
Yoel Marcus: Halutz was the wrong man in the wrong war
Responses: 24
PM, Abbas in secret talks, progress expected by summer
Responses: 33
IDF unveils contingency plan to counter Gaza militants
Responses: 41
Rosner's Domain
* U.S. women less supportive than men of Israel
* New Guest: Daniel Septimus of MyJewishLearning
* Too much Israel: Small, vulnerable and endangered
* Poll: What should Israel's Labor party do?


More Headlines
13:57 PM, Abbas expected to meet soon amid claims of secret talks
14:04 Olmert holds talks with Degel HaTorah over joining coalition
13:33 Ban: Illegal arms regularly reach Hezbollah via Syrian border
16:07 Knesset Officer checking claims Feb. murder of prof. targeted MK
16:04 British consul-general meets Haniyeh on missing BBC reporter
14:00 PFLP: Shalit won`t be released during Olmert`s tenure as PM
15:38 State to subsidize unprofitable El Al, Arkia flights to Amman, Cairo
16:11 Archeologist: King Herod's tomb desecrated, but discovery 'high point'
12:25 Kafr Qasem man jailed for seven years for driving Tel Aviv suicide bomber
10:31 Report: Gov't source says delaying Rice trip 'unprecedented'
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Skin Care Products
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
A Different Israel Experience
Unique programs for adults of all ages
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved