SportBusiness.com

Israeli clubs set to lose backers

The patrons of three major Israeli Premier League clubs are set to withdraw their funding at the end of this season.

Alona Barkat and Daniel Jammer, who have invested $10 million and $25 million during their three-and-a-half-year tenures at Hapoel Beersheba and Maccabi Netanya respectively, have both decided to pull out due to ‘disorderly attitudes’ from some fans.

Russian-born billionaire Arkady Gaydamak, owner of Beitar Jerusalem, is wanted on money-laundering charges and has not been seen in Israel for more than a year.

The father of Alexandre Gaydamak, former owner of English Premier League club Portsmouth, has spent $100 million during his four years as Beitar boss.