Milson's Return to Maccabi Tel Aviv Amid Controversy
After boycotting the training camp to force his transfer from the club, not all Maccabi Tel Aviv fans forgive Milson. The star of last season's championship only landed in Israel two days ago and therefore did not take part in the 0:2 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva in the Champion of Champions. At the end of the game, he went down to the grass for the swing and was booed by a few yellow fans in light of his behavior in recent weeks.
Following the boos he received when he was next to his teammates, Milson did not want to approach Gate 11, which houses the most passionate Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Eran Zahavi and Dor Peretz tried to reconcile, with Zahavi even bringing Milson back to the stand. The fans were divided into those who applauded him and those who continued to boo. Milson did applaud, but it was obvious that he did not feel comfortable in the situation.
Maccabi Haifa Fans Boycott Over High Ticket Prices
The Maccabi Haifa fans' organization, the 'North Stand Association,' has called for a boycott of the team's Toto Cup game at its home stadium against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Saturday due to high ticket prices. The organization claims that the prices are 'delusional' and compares the behavior of Maccabi Haifa to that of Maccabi Tel Aviv in basketball.
The announcement reads: 'In the past, for many years, the first game in the Toto Cup—which is a practice game and a run-in before the league—was part of the appointment. We cannot accept a situation where the price of a ticket for the quarterfinals of the Toto Cup, which is nothing more than a practice game, will cost 60 NIS for the northern stand subscribers, a price that is more expensive than a league game for the same stand. The prices for this game are excessive and delusional and constitute another layer in the process of 'nokization' that Maccabi Haifa is going through in relation to its fans.'
Fan Reactions and Economic Struggles
The organization further stated that 'football is a popular game and belongs to the crowd. It must remain accessible to everyone, especially in times of economic struggle.' Many fans contacted the organization with great fury over the published prices, but attempts to lower the prices were unsuccessful. Therefore, the organization has called on season ticket holders not to buy tickets and not to attend the game. This move highlights the ongoing tension between fans and management over economic issues.
