UEFA has informed Maccabi Tel Aviv FC of its decision to impose a EUR 40,000 fine and require the Club to play its next UEFA home match behind closed doors following the Europa League second qualifying round home match against Sheriff Tiraspol in Batumi last week.

As a result, our Europa League third qualifying round first leg against CSKA Sofia on Thursday August 6th in Batumi will be played behind closed doors.

The Club will implement the decision accordingly.

We urge all fans to respect the rules which have apply to all clubs playing in Europe and to understand the consequences of failing to adhere to the rules. This means that fans do not have the opportunity to attend the matches, the club loses the advantage of having support at these matches and the fines significantly affect the ability of the club to support future fan events.

Kristijan Belic underwent successful surgery today to stabilize the fractured metatarsal in his foot. The procedure was performed at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) by Maccabi Team Doctor, Dr. Dror Lindner.

The 25-year-old Serbian midfielder will now begin his rehabilitation under the supervision of the club’s medical and physical staff.

Everyone at Maccabi wishes Kristijan a full and speedy recovery.

Maccabi will host CSKA Sofia on Thursday for the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, but today’s draw determined the potential play-off opponent for the winner of the tie.

The draw which took place at UEFA’s Headquarters in Nyon Switzerland, paired the winner of Maccabi’s tie against CSKA Sofia with Greek side OFI Crete. Should Maccabi advance past the Bulgarians, OFI Crete await them with the first leg scheduled for August 20^th while the return leg a week plater on August 27^th. The final match venues and kick-off dates will be confirmed in due course.

The Conference League Play-Off draw was also held today, determining the route for the team eliminated from the Maccabi vs CSKA Sofia tie. Should Maccabi lose to CSKA Sofia over the two-legged tie, they will face the winner of the tie between Swiss side FC Lugano and Runavík of the Faroe Islands. While Maccabi were drawn to host the return leg, the final match venues and dates will be confirmed in due course with matches also set for August 20^th and 27th.

Following the disciplinary case opened by UEFA regarding the use of pyrotechnics during yesterday’s Europa League home match against Sheriff Tiraspol, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC has been instructed this afternoon by UEFA to suspend all ticket sales for the club’s upcoming Europa League Third Qualifying Round home match until the disciplinary proceedings have been concluded.

The Club is cooperating fully with UEFA and will provide fans with a further update as soon as a decision has been reached regarding the sale of tickets.

Raz Shlomo, who played his part in the defensive effort that secured another clean sheet, summed up his feelings after the match: “It was very important for us to approach this game with the right mindset despite the result of the first leg. We wanted to win, continue the positive momentum we’ve built since the start of the season and maintain maximum concentration. I’m happy we achieved that and kept another clean sheet. It’s an element that gives us a lot of confidence as a team moving forward.”

On the atmosphere in the stadium and the support from the stands, the defender added: “Our fans are simply incredible. It’s something we never take for granted that they travelled all the way here in such numbers to support us. We felt their energy and heard them throughout every minute of the match, from the first whistle to the last. They give us tremendous strength, and we’re delighted they’re going home with this victory and qualification for the next round.”

Looking ahead to the team’s upcoming challenges, Shlomo concluded: “We can feel ourselves improving from game to game, and we’re building something good here. Now we have to stay humble, keep working hard in training and prepare as well as possible for the next match, which is already waiting for us next week. The goal is to maintain this level of performance and be ready for every challenge.”

“We had a good trip, a relatively short and easy flight, and the journey from the airport to the hotel was also brief,” Ben Hemo said.

Despite last week’s impressive victory, the 24-year-old defender stressed that the team remains fully focused: “We showed good quality and won 5-0, but we’re approaching this game in exactly the same way. We prepared in exactly the same manner, and we want to win this match as well.”

On Maccabi hosting its European home matches in Batumi, Ben Hemo said: “It’s funny, but this is our home ground now. We know our fans are coming, and we want to put in a good performance and give them something to be proud of. It’s our first baptism of fire at the new stadium where we’ll play this season, and I hope we’ll get off to a winning start.”

On his own recent form, Ben Hemo who started in all three competitive matches this season, added: “I’ve felt great since the start of the season. The coach has shown faith in me, and I’m happy I’ve been able to repay that trust. I hope to maintain my good form, help the team, and achieve our goals.”

In conclusion, Ben Hemo addressed the mental challenge of preparing for a match after such a convincing first-leg victory: “It’s not easy to get your head ready for a game like this, but we have to approach it with the same commitment and stay humble. We’ll come with the same aggression and preparation that we had for the previous match, and I hope we’ll do the job at least as well as we did last week.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Serbian side FK Radnički Kragujevac for the transfer of 27-year-old Slovenian international striker Ester Sokler, who has signed a 2-year contract with an option to extend by two more seasons.

Sokler (181cm) arrives after an impressive campaign in Serbia, where he scored 15 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions during the 25/26 season.

After signing his contract, Sokler, who will wear the number 9 at Maccabi, told the club’s official website: “I’m proud to join Maccabi, a club with a rich history and big ambitions. I know the expectations that come with wearing this shirt, and that’s exactly what attracted me to this challenge. I’ll give everything I have to help the team achieve its goals, score goals, win trophies and make our fans proud.”

Born in Krško, Slovenia, Sokler came through the youth ranks of his hometown club Krško Posavje, making his senior debut at the age of 17. After establishing himself in senior football, Sokler joined Brežice in 2020 and enjoyed a prolific six-month spell, scoring nine goals in just 12 appearances.

His goalscoring form earned him a move to Celje in January 2021, where he made 50 appearances and scored 10 goals over the following season and a half. Ahead of the 22/23 campaign, Sokler signed for Radomlje, continuing his development with another productive season in which he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances.

Sokler’s performances attracted Scottish side Aberdeen, who signed him in June 2023. During his time at Pittodrie, Sokler made 72 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

At the start of the 25/26 season, Sokler joined Radnički on loan and, after scoring six goals in his first 12 matches, the Serbian club exercised its option to make the move permanent. Sokler went on to finish the campaign with 15 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.

Sokler’s impressive season also earned him his senior international debut for Slovenia during a 1-1 friendly draw against Cyprus in June 2026. Sokler previously represented his country at U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, making 14 appearances and scoring once.

Everyone at Maccabi welcomes Ester to the club and wishes him every success in Yellow & Blue.