Ozzy Neav
The level of football in the IPL (Israeli Premier League) has been in steady decline for the last several years. The star power has become almost non existent, and there is a growing concern that the IPL will suffer through some lean years. Notice how I say IPL and not Israeli football in general. The level of the average Israeli footballer has never been better. The quality and quantity of players graduating from football academies and youth systems would place a smile on the face of the harshest Israeli critic. The problem is these talented youngsters aren’t playing in Israel.
Years ago, there were a select few Israeli players at the elite level. Maybe not by European standards, but in Israel, they were mega stars. The type of player whose shirt with their name and number was always a hot commodity. The player who is first to be interviewed and gossiped about in non sports publications, and the one all the youngsters dream about and emulate in the neighborhood football sandlots.
These players became great because they were able to display their dominance in front of Israeli audiences for almost a decade before finally embarking on the European journey. Leaving only made their stock rise higher in the eyes of the public. Locals would gather in coffee shops and discuss their favorite players, reminiscing about their success and secretly wishing for their return home. Eyal Berkovich, Haim Revivo, Shalom Tikva and Ronny Rosenthal are but a few of the names who come to mind. They are the leaders of the previous era of Israeli football, often regarded as pioneers who explored and paved the road to Europe that has allowed this current generation of Israelis an easier transition to the elite leagues.
All of these players left in the middle of their careers, having already established themselves in the domestic record books. They didn’t feel that a move to Europe was compulsory. In fact, there are many players, equal to the aforementioned in talent, which never left the safety and comfort of their home country. Today’s Israeli players have no patience for local leagues. The Euro bug has bitten Israeli culture and footballers are under the impression that a career without playing abroad is a career not worth having.
An outsider may claim that huge European migration can only be positive for Israeli football. After all, exposure to Europe would do wonders for a player’s confidence and maturity. Leagues like the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga would instill professionalism in the Israeli player and improve his training habits. This conclusion is accurate; however, it is not the problem. The crisis lies in the domestic league itself, which is dying a slow and apparently terminal death.
We Israelis like European football, but we love the IPL and unfortunately, we are forced to view a starless, watered down version of what was once Israeli football. This also hinders any chance of Israeli club involvement in the Champions League group stage and latter rounds. In order for small clubs to improve professionally, financially and improve their reputation, involvement in European club competition is a must. Football experts and non experts alike, quickly draw the same conclusion. Israel could bring in foreign players to replace the departed locals. But here is the kicker and it’s something FIFA, UEFA and the football world neglected to notice.
Most European leagues have strict foreign policies when it comes to importing non EU players. Players from member countries however, usually have free reign as to where they are legally allowed to play. Everyone remembers when Arsenal were overwhelmingly French. That scenario could not have come about without such freedom of movement rules in place for Europeans. But how does this concern Israel?
Israel, after all is not an EU member country and its players, not subject to the European privileges. Or are they? This year Israel will celebrate its 60th birthday. Prior to its inception, there were very few Jews living in Israel. That means they had to have come from other parts of the world. But where did they come from? They came from Europe. Over 80% of the Israeli population is eligible for dual citizenship and many of those are from European countries. This has effectively blown the gates to Europe wide open for Israeli footballers. Deportivo keeper Dudu Awate was able to make his original foray into Europe because his ancestors were gracious enough to leave him a French passport. European clubs are less hesitant about signing EU players and so Israel has effectively become an EU nation as far as football is concerned.
Unfortunately, this new found EU affiliation is a one way street. The Israeli Football Association has imposed a strict foreign player limit of five per club. This means players are going out, but not coming in. With less stock to choose from and their foreign player quota at its maximum, top Israeli clubs are forced to dip their transfer searches to lower tier clubs and even divisions. This has diluted the IPL and has drastically lowered the level of football.
To further clarify this situation, let us look at Scotland. Imagine Scotland allowing their own players to leave for other Europeans destinations, yet not allowing many foreigners from any other country to play in the Scottish Premier League. Old firm fans would riot with torches and pitch forks if such an event ever took place. Most Israeli fans are far too timid to voice their opinions about such matters. They won’t hesitate to throw a smoke grenade mid game, but their aggression is nowhere to be found when it comes to this dire situation that has enveloped the entire league. Israelis will faithfully continue to support their league regardless of the quality. Unfortunately, with the current deterioration in the quality of Israeli football, the often used fan quote “I could play better than that,” may actually become a reality.
