Matan Segal directed Kick It Out Israel, an anti-discrimination initiative with similar aims but no link to the English organisation of the same name, for almost four years before stepping down a few months ago.

Racism has long been present in Israeli club football. Beitar Jerusalem’s fans are among the most notorious.

In 2013, ultras burned down their own club’s offices in protest at the signing of two Chechen Muslims.

The most extreme Beitar fans have long taunted Israeli Arabs with chants of “may your village burn”, while declaring themselves “forever pure”.

However during his time at Kick It Out Israel, Segal saw racism against Arab players become more virulent and widespread.

Covid, during which fans radicalised online during lockdown, was one cause.

The election of Israel’s far-right government at the end of 2022, legitimising views towards Palestinians that were previously seen as extreme, was a second.

The war was undoubtedly another.

“Before 7 October, people generally respected the Arab players,” Segal said.

“Even though they had difficulties with them not singing the Israeli anthem, they respected them and they could talk about it.

“After 7 October though, we saw an increase in racist remarks.

“It was happening at small clubs where we hadn’t seen it before. There were terrible songs – ‘Let’s kill all Arabs’, ‘There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left’.”

Football, inevitably, has become a focal point for emotion generated by the conflict.

Clubs which are usually bitter rivals came together to remember those killed by Hamas. Scarves were part of the commemoration at the site of the Nova music festival, where hundreds were killed.

Hapoel Jerusalem’s club badge now features a silhouette of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was abducted and killed in captivity and whose parents have campaigned for peace through their grief.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers have posed with club flags and banners while on operation in Gaza, dedicating their actions to the clubs and ultras back home., external

In such a heightened atmosphere, young footballers – closely connected to the conflict through Israel’s programme of national service and a barrage of online commentary and images – are under constant scrutiny and pressure.

Gloukh’s lifelong friend Afik Tery was killed by a Hamas explosive while serving in the IDF.

After his death, Gloukh posted a poignant set of pictures, external of the pair arm-in-arm over time – as young boys at birthday parties, as young men at a wedding – with the final slide showing Tery’s funeral.

Among the online replies were the taunts of pro-Palestinians.

For Israel players with Palestinian heritage, the stakes are especially and dangerously high.

Dia Saba plays in a similar playmaking role to Gloukh. The 33-year-old has scored three goals in 13 appearances for Israel.

He is unlikely ever to add to that tally.

Saba was one of Maccabi Haifa’s most high-profile stars when, at the start of the conflict, his wife Narmin posted a message to Instagram.

“There are children in Gaza, too,” she wrote.

Saba apologised for the outrage caused, but could not save his career in Israel. He left Maccabi Haifa in 2025 and now plays for Turkish side Amedspor.

“My dream was to play for Maccabi Haifa, the club that I support, the team that I grew up with,” Saba said at the time.

“I wanted to continue. But sometimes there are reasons that are stronger than us that don’t allow it.”

It appears Ilia Topuria has been medically cleared to continue fighting, and ‘El Matador’ has now stormed back onto social media, accusing Justin Gaethje of foul play.

However, after Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, mentioned Topuria’s son during their online back-and-forth, the hard-hitting lightweight has now issued a chilling warning to the Dominance MMA CEO.

For context, after announcing that he was officially back, Topuria accused Gaethje of foul play, suggesting that ‘The Highlight‘ had tampered with his gloves to gain an unfair advantage. In a subsequent post, the former lightweight champion took aim at both Gaethje and his manager with an F-bomb-laden post.

Abdelaziz responded to the fighter’s insults, writing:

“Welcome back Champ, I’m glad you are ok. I’m not going to give you the F word back because your son is my friend, and I cannot say bad words to his father. Tell him I said, ‘What’s up?’ He is the man.”

Safe to say Topuria did not appreciate Abdelaziz bringing his son into the conversation and hit back with a warning:

“Don’t bring my son into this. You being his friend has nothing to do with me and you. You know exactly why I said what I said. So don’t hide behind him. F**k you still stands.”

Check out Ilia Topuria’s clapback at Ali Abdelaziz below:

Former UFC two-division champion Topuria was last seen suffering a TKO loss via corner stoppage against Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. As he gears up for his comeback, Dana White has hinted at a fight against Paddy Pimblett or a rematch with Gaethje as potential options.

What did Ilia Topuria accuse Justin Gaethje of?

It appears Ilia Topuria doesn’t believe Justin Gaethje won their UFC Freedom 250 bout fair and square. ‘El Matador’ seems to suspect that ‘The Highlight’ may have put “something weird” in his gloves during the contest.

In a post on X earlier this week, Topuria announced his comeback to fighting, claiming that he had completed his final medical tests. However, the fighter’s return announcement quickly turned to scathing accusations against the reigning lightweight champion:

“Final medical tests done. I’m back. To all the clowns who’ve been talking s**t and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the b**ls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon.”