F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira (), also known as

Hapoel Hapoel (, ) is an Israeli Jewish sports association established in 1926 by the Histadrut Labor Federation. History During the Mandate for Palestine, British Mandate of Palestine period Hapoel had a bitter rivalry with Maccabi World Union, Maccab ...

Robi Haifa () is an Israeli football club based in

Haifa Haifa ( ; , ; ) is the List of cities in Israel, third-largest city in Israel—after Jerusalem and Tel Aviv—with a population of in . The city of Haifa forms part of the Haifa metropolitan area, the third-most populous metropolitan area i ...

. The club was formed in 2014 by Hapoel Haifa supporters, opposed to Hapoel Haifa owner, Yoav Katz. The club is currently playing in

Liga Alef Liga Alef () is the third tier of the Israeli football league system. It is divided into two regional divisions, north and south. History League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Howe ...

North division.

Origins and formation

Hapoel Haifa was established in 1924 and enjoyed considerable success during its existence, winning the

Israel State Cup The Israel State Cup (, ''Gvia HaMedina''), is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The State Cup was first held in 1928 as the People's Cup. Because it involves clubs of all standards ...

four times, as well as several minor cups and spending most of its time in the Israeli top division. In 1992, the club was bought by businessman Robi Shapira, who led the club to its first championship in 1998–99. Robi Shapira committed suicide in December 2001, and the club was managed by temporary liquidators until 2004, when it was bought by businessman Yoav Katz. Since 2004 a core of fans opposing Katz's regime has formed,Yellow Card
Shlomo Mann, 25 March 2013, The 7th Eye Premier League: Hapoel Haifa Beat F.C. Ashdod 2:1
10 November 2012, walla.co.il
Doron Ben Dor, 6 November 2012, one.co.il Yoav, No More – An Introduction to the Hapoel Haifa Revolution
Oz Har Adir, 19 October 2012, debuzzer.com and in 2014 an alternate association was formed by the opposing fans, called "Ir Hapo'alim" (City of Laborers, ), through which the club, initially called informally Hapoel Robi Haifa, was formed.Suddenly a Man Rises
Karin Sharvit, 27 August 2014, sport5.co.il Dror Marshalkowitz: "If There Was a Different Owner, We Wouldn't Have to Form a Fan's Team"
Erad Tzafrir, 26 March 2014, haaretz.co.il In August 2014 the club was registered with the IFA. However, the IFA rejected the club choice of name since the name is registered with Hapoel Haifa's youth team, playing in the Israeli Noar Premier League.Hapoel or F.C.? "The Mention of Robi Is the Most Important"
Ziv Amoyal, 9 September 2014, sport5.co.il The club therefore settled on the name "F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira", and was registered to the Shomron division of

Liga Gimel Liga Gimel (, lit. ''League C'') is, since 2009, the fifth and bottom division of Israeli football league system, Israeli Football League. From Liga Alef and downwards, including Liga Gimel, each league is separated by region. History Liga Gimel ...

. During 2014–15 season, Hapoel association had authorized F.C. Haifa to add the association's name "Hapoel" to the club's name. Therefore, in the 2015–16 season, the club will be called "Hapoel Robi Shapira Haifa".

History

On 12 September 2014 the club played it first official match, beating Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel 3–0 in the second round of the State Cup.3:0 to Hapoel Robi Shapira Haifa in Its Debut
12 September 2014, ynet.co.il The club finished the 2014–15 season on top of Liga Gimel Samaria division, being undefeated throughout the whole season with 24 wins and 2 draws, and won promotion to

Liga Bet Liga Bet () is the fourth tier of the Israeli football league system. It is divided into four regional divisions. History League football started in Israel in 1949–50, a year after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. However, the financial ...

. The club finished his 2015–16 season on

also in the first place, with 22 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses. The club was promoted to the 3rd league,

. In June 2023 the he activity of the club was stopped.

Shirt Sponsors and manufacturers

Honours

League

Cups

External links

F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira
Israel Football Association
Ir Hapoalim

References

{{reflist

Football clubs in Haifa

Hapoel Haifa F.C. Association football clubs established in 2014 Association football clubs disestablished in 2023 2014 establishments in Israel 2023 disestablishments in Israel Fan-owned football clubs