UAE owner of Israeli club says 'door open' to Arab players

The Emirati businessman who has bought a stake in the controversial Israeli soccer club Beitar Jerusalem says “the door is open” to adding Arab players to its roster

Israel Emirates Soccer (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Emirati businessman who has bought a stake in the controversial Israeli soccer club Beitar Jerusalem said on Tuesday that “the door is open” to adding Arab players to its roster.

Beitar has gained notoriety for a small core of hardcore fans known for shouting racist epithets. It is the only major Israeli club never to have had an Arab player.

Asked about his plans for the team, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, told a news conference that “the door is open” to all players, regardless of of their religion or background. He says he wants to set an example that Jews and Muslims can work together.

The team announced on Monday that Al Nahyan had bought a 50% stake in the club and pledged to invest some $90 million in the coming decade.