Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off After Serious Unrest
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was filled with haze prior to the scheduled kick-off
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Published
The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of kick-off on Sunday, after what law enforcement described as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were set off," law enforcement stated on online platforms, noting "this is not a football game, this is unrest and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and several police personnel were injured, authorities reported, while nine people were arrested and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances come just a brief period after officials in the Britain announced that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to be present at the Europa League game at the Birmingham team in Britain next month because of security issues.
One team criticised the game abandonment, accusing Israeli police of "getting ready for a conflict, rather than a sporting event", including during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.
"The alarming incidents outside the arena and following the irresponsible and scandalous ruling not to hold the match only show that the authorities has assumed command over the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
The other team has declined to speak, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by security authorities to prohibit the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has provoked extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has since said it is working to overturn the restriction and considering what further support might be needed to guarantee the game can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the match, stating they recognized that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, law enforcement confirmed it endorsed the prohibition and categorized the game as "concerning" according to intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and their supporters before a fixture in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were detained.
There have been demonstrations at several athletic competitions concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel played Norway and the European team in latest qualification games.
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Released48 hours prior
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Released16 August
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