MLS Cup-winning coach being investigated over sexual harassment claims in Israel
Ronny Deila, the former New York City FC coach who won the 2021 MLS Cup, is under investigation in Israel for alleged sexual harassment of a female taxi driver in Tel Aviv. Deila, now head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, admitted to not remembering the incident due to alcohol consumption and issued a public apology. This follows a prior incident in which he was removed from a Tel Aviv bar after staff refused to serve him further alcohol.
- ▪Ronny Deila is being investigated by Israeli police for allegedly sexually harassing a taxi driver in Tel Aviv.
- ▪Deila apologized publicly, stating he did not remember the incident due to excessive drinking but took responsibility for his actions.
- ▪He became head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv in February 2026, shortly after leaving Atlanta United in MLS.
- ▪Police were previously called to a Tel Aviv bar where Deila was asked to leave after staff refused him more alcohol.
- ▪Deila led New York City FC to their first MLS Cup title in 2021 and has previously managed Celtic and Standard Liège.
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Soccer MLS Cup-winning coach being investigated over sexual harassment claims in Israel By Christian Arnold Published May 3, 2026, 8:51 p.m. ET Former New York City FC coach Ronny Deila is being investigated by Israeli authorities over suspicions of sexually harassing a female taxi driver in Tel Aviv. Deila, who was NYCFC’s head coach when the club won its first MLS Cup in 2021, allegedly made sexual remarks to the woman and refused to pay his fare for the ride after a night out drinking, Israeli news outlet N12 reported. The alleged incident is said to have occurred on Thursday night, and Israel Police questioned the 50-year-old soccer coach, releasing him after under restrictive conditions. 3 Former New York City FC soccer coach Ronny Deila in 2020.
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