During Monday evening's Premier League soccer match between Betar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa, Jerusalem defender Shmuel Scheimann was asked by referee Uriel Greenfeld to take off the sweatband for his arm, on which is embroidered a Star of David, because of political messages. Greenfeld had also asked before the game.
It should be noted that this is a sweatband which Scheimann has worn in every game and, until now, has never been told to take it off. Sideline broadcaster Itai Schechter noted that he had been punished for wearing a kippah during his days with Beitar and Hapoel Tel Aviv. If Greenfeld mentions the incident in his report on the game, Scheimann and Betar Jerusalem may be punished by the Football Association's Court.