Tel Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was filled with smoke before the scheduled start
-
Issued
The domestic football league derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of kick-off on Sunday, due to what authorities described as "public disorder and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke bombs and fireworks were set off," law enforcement posted on digital channels, noting "this isn't a football game, this is chaos and major hostilities".
A dozen people and several law enforcement members were hurt, officials confirmed, while nine people were arrested and sixteen questioned by police.
The unrest come just days after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to go to the international tournament fixture at the English club in England next month because of security issues.
One team censured the match postponement, claiming Israeli police of "gearing up for a conflict, instead of a football match", including during meetings in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The shocking events outside the venue and following the ill-considered and outrageous ruling not to hold the fixture only prove that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport," the club announced publicly.
Their rivals has not yet commented, except to confirm the game was called off.
The judgment by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has triggered broad condemnation.
The British authorities has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be held without incident.
Villa told their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the game, explaining they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, law enforcement stated it endorsed the prohibition and classified the fixture as "potentially dangerous" based on intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a game in Amsterdam in late 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at several athletic competitions concerning the war in Gaza, such as when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest international matches.
Associated subjects
- Football
Further coverage
-
-
Published48 hours prior
-
-
-
ReleasedAugust 16
-
