Soccer (illustration)
Soccer (illustration)Flash 90

The High Court held on Sunday a hearing regarding a petition to instruct Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev to implement a system to prevent sports matches from being played on Shabbat. 

At the end of the discussion, the High Court judges gave the committee established by Minister Regev a further extension of 90 days to finalize the issue. 

During the discussion, it became clear that hundreds of soccer players in Israel supported the petition and wished to discontinue playing matches on Saturdays. 

Professor Aviad Hacohen, dean of the Sha'arei Mishpat Academic College, dismissed during the hearing the idea that soccer matches on Shabbat was a "status quo" in Israel.

"There are more and more religious athletes who want to stay with their families on Saturday and we ask that you allow them to maintain the sanctity of Shabbat."

It was also argued during the hearing that moving soccer games to weekday would have the additional benefit of opening up the sports league to include a religious fan base, as well.