Police have taken testimony on Wednesday from a low-league soccer player regarding two prominent Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club players, who, according to allegations, had sex with two underage high school students.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv players allegedly met the two girls - who are believed to be 15 years old - at the low-league player's birthday party and invited them back to the apartment of one of the players.
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Illustration, Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. players take the pitch in their home stadium Bloomfield, Tel Aviv
(Photo: Oz Mualem)
Attorney Eyal Ohayon, who represents the player, said that his client only came as a witness and is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Ohayon then went on to attack the media for blowing the story out of proportions for ratings.
"Unfortunately, there's a new trend in Israel in recent years, according to which the media turns a complainant for those who never saw themselves as victims and even constructs criminal theories - all on the altar of ratings. The information in my client's hands is enough to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that no criminal offenses have been committed in this case."
According to the player's testimony, one of the two players involved, who is a close friend of his, met the girls at a party he hosted last month.
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Friend of Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. player accused of having consensual sex with minors
(Photo: Nadav Eves)
The friend claimed that he himself met the girls at another friend's pool party and invited them to his birthday party after they both allegedly claimed to be over 18.
One of the girls involved in the affair gave testimony on Tuesday for seven hours. Police intend to summon three other footballers who came up during the interrogations.
Contrary to the footballers' claims, the police have evidence that the players served and drank alcoholic beverages with the minors. The players are expected to be questioned again by the end of the week.