Soccer-Beitar keep title despite heavy punishment

By Ori Lewis

JERUSALEM, May 8 (Reuters) - Beitar Jerusalem were confirmed as Israeli Premier League champions on Tuesday despite receiving a stiff punishment for a pitch invasion by their fans.

An Israeli FA (IFA) court ordered Beitar to play their next four home matches at least 50-km from their stadium, all behind closed doors, but the club escaped a points deduction.

About 50 supporters were injured in Sunday's crush as several hundred stormed the pitch at Teddy Kollek Stadium while trying to celebrate the impending championship when they beat Hapoel Petah Tikva 2-0.

Two teenagers seriously injured in the crush have since regained consciousness and are out of danger, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Beitar were effectively awarded the title on Monday when Maccabi Tel Aviv were docked two points for financial irregularities.

That put Beitar 10 points ahead of Maccabi, their only remaining challengers, with nine points left to play for.

Beitar's punishment means the game with arch-rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv next Sunday will be played behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Tel Aviv.