F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira ( he, מועדון ספורט חיפה רובי שפירא), also known as

Hapoel Hapoel ( he, הפועל, lit. ''the worker'') 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 ...

Robi Haifa ( he, הפועל רובי חיפה) is an Israeli football club based in

Haifa Haifa ( he, חֵיפָה ' ; ar, حَيْفَا ') is the 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 metropol ...

. The club was formed in 2014 by

Hapoel Haifa Hapoel Haifa Football Club ( he, מועדון הכדורגל הפועל חיפה, ''Moadon HaKaduregel Hapoel Haifa'') is an Israeli football club located in the city of Haifa. The club won one championship (1998–99) and 4 Israeli cups ( ...

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

Liga Alef Liga Alef ( he, ליגה א', , League A) 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 Declar ...

North division.

Origins and formation

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

Israel State Cup The Israel State Cup ( he, גביע המדינה, ''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 involve ...

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, he, עיר הפועלים), 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 IFA or Ifa may refer to: Organisations Economics * Independent financial adviser, a type of financial services professional in the UK * Index Fund Advisors * Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, representing actuaries in the UK * Institute of Ac ...

. However, the IFA rejected the club choice of name since the name is registered with

's youth team, playing in the

Israeli Noar Premier League The Israeli Noar Premier League ( he, ליגת העל לנוער, ''Ligat Ha'al LeNoar'', lit. ''Youth Super League'') is the top division in the Israeli football league system for teenagers between the ages 18–20. From 1994 to 2011, it was call ...

.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 ( he, ליגה ג', lit. ''League C'') is the fifth and bottom division of Israeli Football League, a position it has held since 2009. From Liga Alef and downwards to this, each league is separated by region as well. 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 The Israel State Cup ( he, גביע המדינה, ''Gvia HaMedina''), is a Single-elimination tournament, knockout cup competition in Football in Israel, Israeli football, run by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The State Cup was first he ...

.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 ( he, ליגה ב', lit. ''League B'') 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 ...

. 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,

Shirt Sponsors and manufacturers

Current squad

; As of 10 February 2022Club Profile
on Israel Football Association

Honours

League

Cups

External links

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

References

{{Liga Bet

Football clubs in Haifa

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