Israel Police announced it will be looking into a complaint suggesting that two professional soccer players from Maccabi Tel Aviv had sexual relations with minors, Channel 13 reported on Thursday morning.
The complaint refers to two players from the popular soccer club based in Tel Aviv. According to the complaint, which reached the club offices yesterday, the two players met with two minor high-school students during an event and exchanged phone numbers. They then booked a taxi that drove the minors to one of their houses, where they're suspected of having had sexual relations.
Orit Sulitzeanu, executive director of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, told Channel 13 that "the owners of Maccabi Tel Aviv must suspend both players suspected of forbidden consensual sexual intercourse until the matter is clarified."
She added that "it seems to be a case of sexual abuse of minors by well-known figures who are admired by many, including young girls."
The Maccabi Tel Aviv club issued the following statement: "The club is aware of the reports on this issue and is following its developments. At this point, we won't comment any more beyond that."
Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of Israel's largest and most successful soccer clubs. It was founded in 1906 and in 1922, became the first Jewish soccer club to participate in local competitions in British-mandated Palestine. It is one of only three Israeli teams to ever reach the UEFA Champions League group stage. The club is well-known for its investment in developing and nurturing young talent.