Sports Shorts

The soccer Youths' State Cup quarterfinals held Friday between Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva was interrupted when Netanya supporters threw a bag of urine at one of the linesmen. Referee Shay Sheetrit temporarily stopped the match, but renewed it after a 14-minute pause at the request of Netanya owner Daniel Jammer. He later claimed he did so for fear of his life. Netanya went on to beat Petah Tikva 2-1, but Petah Tikva is expected to ask the Israel Football Association to cancel the result and award it a technical victory. "Sheetrit is a wuss," a Petah Tikva official said. "We'll ask for it to be overturned." Other teams that qualified for the youths' semifinals include Beitar Jerusalem, AS Ashdod and Bnei Yehuda. (Arie Livnat and Haaretz Sports Staff)

Maccabi Rishon Letzion thrashed ASA Tel Aviv 35-27 on Friday, securing its league lead ahead of the start of the playoffs in two weeks. Rishon and ASA Tel Aviv will meet again in the first leg of the playoffs. Gal Avraham led Rishon in goals, scoring 14 times from 15 attempts while ASA's Dudu Batash made his comeback appearance. ASA will play against Nes Tziona while Maccabi Rishon will meet Hapoel Rishon in a local derby. Hapoel on Friday beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 36-28. Nes Tziona beat Bnei Herzliya 36-28. (Rami Hipsh)

Maccabi Tel Aviv has signed 20-year-old guard Gal Makel on a three and a half year contract. Makel, 1.90m, played for the team's youth club before moving to Wichita State University two years ago. During his time at Maccabi, Makel was part of the youth team that won the championship and State Cup. He has also played for Israeli national teams at various age groups. At Wichita, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.7 assists in 30 minutes. "Maccabi is a home to me," Makel said. "(Ofer Matan)

Maccabi Netanya officials yesterday refuted rumors that German coach and former soccer player Luther Matheus may coach the team next year. "Matheus and [Maccabi Netanya owner Daniel] Jammer are friends, and they met for lunch a few times," said the officials. One added: "If anyone who met Jammer for lunch was appointed coach, then I would be coach." (Nir Wolf)