1956–57 in Israeli football


The 1956–57 season was the 9th season of competitive football in Israel and the 31st season under the Israeli Football Association, established in 1928, during the British Mandate.

Review and Events

In September 1956, the national team participated in the inaugural AFC Asian Cup competition, finishing as runners-up.
In the penultimate round of Liga Alef, Hapoel Kfar Saba, who were leading the table, scored a 12–0 victory against Hapoel Nahariya, while its rival for promotion, Maccabi Rehovot score an 11–0 victory against local rival Maccabi Sha'arayim. The IFA set up a committee, headed by the IFA president, Yosef-Michael Lamm to investigate the results. After the investigation the committee decided to set promotion play-offs for the five teams involved in promotion battles. The play-offs were held after the summer break, at the beginning of the next season.
At the end of the league season, the top division was re-expanded to 12 teams. No club was relegated from Liga Leumit, while two teams were promoted. The bottom club in Liga Leumit, Maccabi Jaffa entered a promotion/relegation play-offs again the third-placed club from 1956–57 Liga Alef. As Hapoel Jerusalem finished third in Liga Alef, prior to the committee's decision to hold the promotion play-offs, Maccabi Jaffa and Hapoel Jerusalem played the first match, resulting in a 1–1 draw. The second match was delayed and then cancelled as the committee ordered the play-offs.

Domestic leagues

Promotion and relegation

The following promotions and relegations took place at the end of the season :
;Promoted to Liga Leumit
;Promoted to Liga Alef
;Promoted to Liga Bet
;Relegated from Liga Leumit
None
;Relegated from Liga Alef
;Relegated from Liga Bet
1. Hapoel Balfouria merged with Hapoel Afula. The merged team, although at times appearing as Hapoel Balfouria or Hapoel Afula/Balfouria, eventually retained the name Hapoel Afula and played with this name since.

National Teams

football team|National team]]

[1956 AFC Asian Cup]

1956–57 matches