Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Due to Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was filled with haze ahead of the anticipated beginning
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned before the start on Sunday, following what law enforcement labeled as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Many of smoke bombs and fireworks were launched," authorities announced on online platforms, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, it constitutes disorder and significant aggression".
A dozen people and multiple officers were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were taken into custody and sixteen questioned by police.
The clashes occur just a brief period after authorities in the UK said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to go to the Europa League game at the English club in England the following month because of public safety worries.
One team condemned the derby cancellation, alleging law enforcement of "preparing for a conflict, instead of a sporting event", even during discussions in the lead-up to the much-expected encounter.
"The shocking events around the stadium and following the reckless and outrageous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the law enforcement has seized authority in the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The decision by security authorities to exclude club followers from the Birmingham game on November 6 has triggered extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is seeking to cancel the ban and considering what further support might be necessary to guarantee the match can be held without incident.
The English club notified their security personnel that they were not required to attend at the match, saying they understood that some "could be worried".
On Thursday, law enforcement stated it backed the prohibition and designated the fixture as "concerning" according to reports and earlier occurrences.
That involved "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a match in the Netherlands in November 2024, when numerous persons were detained.
There have been demonstrations at multiple games regarding the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in current qualification games.
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Published48 hours prior
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Issued16 August
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