Israeli Nimni banned for pocketing his own transfer fees

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The Israeli Football Association had fined FC Beitar Jerusalem and international midfielder Avi Nimni with 80,000 NIS (approx. US$ 20,000) for pocketing his own US$ 1.6m transfer fee through a Gilbraltar-based company. The Israeli FA investigations had discovered that the company which owns the player's registration since his contract termination with Spanish Primera Liga Atl�tico Madrid on early 1998 is owned by the 32 years-old player. Since 1998, the player had charged clubs he was employed with (Israelis Maccabi Tel-Aviv and FC Beitar Jerusalem, and English Derby County) with transfer fees paid to his company, in contradiction to the Association's and FIFA regulations. However, the player appealed against the decision and receive a reduction of the fine (approx $US 8,000) but also a three match suspension.