Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was engulfed by smoke ahead of the planned start
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The domestic football league rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled ahead of commencement on the weekend, following what law enforcement labeled as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke grenades and flares were launched," authorities announced on digital channels, noting "this is not a football game, it represents disorder and serious violence".
A dozen individuals and multiple police personnel were hurt, authorities reported, while nine people were arrested and sixteen detained for questioning.
The clashes occur just days after authorities in the UK announced that supporters of the team should not be allowed to go to the Europa League match at Aston Villa in the UK the following month because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the match postponement, alleging authorities of "preparing for a conflict, instead of a football match", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the much-expected encounter.
"The shocking events around the venue and following the ill-considered and unacceptable decision not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the Israel Police has seized authority in the game," the team said in a statement.
The other team has declined to speak, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on the sixth of November has triggered extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the ban and exploring what additional resources might be necessary to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
Aston Villa informed their security personnel that they did not have to work at the game, explaining they recognized that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it backed the restriction and categorized the match as "concerning" according to intelligence and previous incidents.
That included "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between the Dutch team and their supporters before a match in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several games regarding the conflict in Gaza, such as when Israel faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in current football World Cup qualifiers.
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- Soccer
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Posted48 hours prior
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Published16 August
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