Maccabi Tel Aviv, CFO: "If you go to Africa, don't be surprised when you're surrounded by monkeys"

In an incident that has left many in Israel's football community both shocked and disheartened, Tomer Shmuel, the Chief Financial Officer of Maccabi Tel Aviv, has sparked fury with a racially charged social media post. At a match that should have been a celebration of sport, Shmuel's words cast a long shadow, revealing the deep-seated issues of racism that still haunt football.

From the stands of Turner Stadium, where the fans of Hapoel Be'er Sheva were gathered, Shmuel chose to share a video with a caption that cut like a knife: "Whoever travels to Africa should not be surprised to find monkeys around." The pain and anger from this statement reverberated through the community, as it was seen not just as an insult but as a blatant display of racial prejudice.

The swift and sharp rebuke from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, labeling the comment as "shameful," encapsulated the collective disappointment and outrage. It was a moment that left fans of all teams feeling a mix of betrayal and sadness for the sport they love, which should be about unity, not division.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, a club with a storied history in Israeli football, now faces a moment of reckoning. The silence from the club has been palpable as fans and observers alike wait to see how they will address this breach of sportsmanship and human dignity.

This isn't just about one man's words; it's about the heart of football, which beats strongest when it's inclusive. Shmuel, typically seen as a steward of the club's financial health, has inadvertently become a symbol of the sport's ongoing struggle with racism. His regular presence at matches, meant to show support, now stands in stark contrast to the divisive message he conveyed.

The fallout from this incident is a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done, not only in Israeli football but in sports worldwide.

As Maccabi Tel Aviv prepares its response, the football community in Israel and beyond holds its breath, hoping for actions that heal rather than harm, for words that unite rather than divide. The love for football in Israel is profound, but so is the pain when it's tainted by racism.

Channel 5 contributed to this article.