By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following his ejection from the State Cup Quarterfinals and subsequent disciplinary actions, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yannay filed a lawsuit against the Israeli Basketball Association, the Referees’ Association, and referee Dan Yalon in the Tel Aviv District Court.
According to a report by Ynet on Friday, 51-year-old Yannay contends that the match official publicly shamed and humiliated him, severely harming his honor and good name. Through this legal filing, the club owner asks the court to determine that his removal from the stands was executed entirely without proper authority and unlawfully.
In response to the development, the Basketball Association stated they will address the matter accordingly once the lawsuit is formally received. The governing body also clarified that all referees will continue with their duties normally in the closing stages of the Winner League Playoffs 2026.
Meanwhile, the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis clinched a berth in the best-of-five championship series of Israel’s postseason on Thursday, drawing closer to the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.
Winner League Playoffs 2026
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva/Dimona 2-0 (106-90, 108-83)
Bnei Penlink Herzliya – Hapoel Netanel Holon 0-2 (73-84, 84-99)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Maccabi Tapuzina Rishon LeZion 2-1 (74-82, 95-69, 96-83)
Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem – Hapoel Gilat Telecom Haemek 2-0 (82-71, 98-91)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Netanel Holon 2-0 (107-93, 84-74)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 3-0 (20-0, 88-84, 89-81)
Finals (best-of-five)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv / Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Hapoel Netanel Holon
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google