Soccer-Maccabi's two-point deduction gives title to Beitar

By Ori Lewis

JERUSALEM, May 7 (Reuters) - Beitar Jerusalem were crowned Israeli league champions for the fifth time on Monday after an Israeli FA tribunal deducted two points from Maccabi Tel Aviv, their only remaining challengers, for financial irregularities.

There were no celebrations in Jerusalem, however, following Sunday's crowd crush when Beitar fans stormed the pitch at Teddy Kollek Stadium as they hoped to celebrate the impending championship when r beat Hapoel Petah Tikva 2-0.

But all is not yet lost for Maccabi -- theoretically at least -- and they could be back in the title hunt if Beitar are docked points by an IFA disciplinary court on Tuesday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv were eight points behind Beitar before the disciplinary court ruled on their two-point deduction, and with three matches left, Beitar have an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.

Beitar are expected to be punished severely for the pitch invasion after the IFA recommended tougher punishment against clubs whose fans invade the pitch, IFA chairman Avi Luzon said earlier on Monday.

Two teenage fans were seriously hurt in the crowd crush when hundreds of supporters rushed through a narrow gate onto the pitch. Many others were crushed against the perimeter fence. One of the teenagers is still unconscious in hospital.

Invading the pitch is a criminal offence in Israel and offenders are often dealt with harshly by police.