01In brief
Yoav Ziv is an Israeli footballer who played as a defender for Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv and was named to an Israel provisional squad during UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. In October 2011, he was sent off in Maccabi Tel Aviv's Europa League match against Stoke City after his shoe accidentally struck an assistant referee; video of the unusual episode later brought him widespread online attention.
02Career
Ziv played for Beitar Jerusalem during Israel's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. When he and fellow defender Arik Benado were suspended for the October 2007 qualifier against Croatia, Beitar still supplied six players to Israel's squad, more than any other club.[1]
By 2010, Ziv had joined Maccabi Tel Aviv. A contemporary report mentioned him alongside striker Roberto Colautti as new signings intended to strengthen the club for the following season.[2] He later represented Maccabi Tel Aviv in Europa League competition in October 2011.[3]
03International Career
In September 2006, Israel coach Dror Kashtan named Ziv, then a Beitar Jerusalem defender, to a provisional squad preparing for the Euro 2008 qualifier away to Russia.[4] A Jerusalem Post preview before the match identified him as one of the leading candidates to start at right back.[5]
Ziv was later suspended for Israel's October 2007 qualifier against Croatia and was omitted from the squad for that match.[1]
04Legacy
Video of the Stoke City episode circulated widely online and gave Ziv unexpected attention beyond the match itself. After returning to Israel, he said it had made him an unwilling YouTube star and described the episode as strange, somewhat funny, and unlucky.[3]
05Controversies
In October 2011, during a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stoke City, Ziv tried to kick the grass in frustration. His shoe flew toward and accidentally struck the assistant referee, and he was sent off. Ziv apologized and said both the referee and assistant understood that the contact had not been intentional.[3]
Maccabi Tel Aviv imposed a one-match internal suspension, keeping him out of the club's next fixture against Maccabi Petah Tikva. The report noted that any UEFA punishment would be separate from the club's sanction.[6]
Sources
- 1The Jerusalem Post (accessed September 16, 2026)
- 2The Jerusalem Post (accessed September 16, 2026)
- 3Ynet News (accessed September 16, 2026)
- 4Ynet News (accessed September 16, 2026)
- 5The Jerusalem Post (accessed September 16, 2026)
- 6Ynet News (accessed September 16, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who is Yoav Ziv?
Yoav Ziv is an Israeli footballer who played as a defender for Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was named to an Israel provisional squad during UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying and later gained widespread online attention after an unusual incident during a Europa League match.
How did Yoav Ziv come to be selected for Israel's national squad?
In September 2006, Israel coach Dror Kashtan named Ziv, then a Beitar Jerusalem defender, to a provisional squad preparing for a Euro 2008 qualifying match away to Russia. A Jerusalem Post preview before the match identified him as one of the leading candidates to start at right back.
What happened to Yoav Ziv during Maccabi Tel Aviv's Europa League match against Stoke City?
During the October 2011 Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stoke City, Ziv tried to kick the grass in frustration and his shoe flew off and accidentally struck the assistant referee, resulting in him being sent off. Ziv apologized and said both the referee and assistant understood the contact had not been intentional.
What punishment did Yoav Ziv receive after the Stoke City incident?
Maccabi Tel Aviv imposed a one-match internal suspension on Ziv, keeping him out of the club's next fixture against Maccabi Petah Tikva. Any UEFA punishment would be separate from the club's sanction.
How did Yoav Ziv describe the Stoke City incident after returning to Israel?
After returning to Israel, Ziv said the widespread online circulation of the video had made him an unwilling YouTube star, and he described the episode as strange, somewhat funny, and unlucky.