Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was engulfed by smoke before the planned start
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The Israeli Premier League derby involving one local team and their city rivals was abandoned before the start on Sunday, due to what police labeled as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Numerous of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were launched," Israeli police stated on online platforms, noting "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it represents unrest and serious violence".
A dozen people and multiple officers were hurt, authorities reported, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 held for interrogation.
The clashes happen just a brief period after representatives in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in England in November because of safety concerns.
The local club condemned the match postponement, accusing Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, instead of a sporting event", particularly during meetings in the lead-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The disturbing events near the arena and due to the irresponsible and outrageous judgment not to hold the match only prove that the law enforcement has assumed command over the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
The other team has not yet commented, merely stating the game was called off.
The decision by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has triggered widespread criticism.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the restriction and investigating what extra measures might be necessary to guarantee the match can be conducted securely.
Villa notified their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the fixture, explaining they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, law enforcement stated it endorsed the ban and categorized the game as "potentially dangerous" according to reports and earlier occurrences.
That involved "violent clashes and bigotry-related acts" among the Dutch team and their supporters prior to a match in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been protests at multiple games regarding the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel played the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent international matches.
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Published16 August
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