Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed After Major Disturbances
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was filled with smoke prior to the scheduled beginning
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The domestic football league rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before the start on Sunday, after what law enforcement described as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Many of smoke grenades and fireworks were thrown," authorities posted on social media, noting "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
A dozen people and three officers were harmed, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were taken into custody and sixteen held for interrogation.
The clashes come just a short time after authorities in the Britain said that followers of the club should not be allowed to go to the international tournament match at the English club in Britain next month because of security issues.
One team condemned the game abandonment, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, instead of a game", including during meetings in the build-up to the much-expected match.
"The disturbing situations outside the arena and following the irresponsible and outrageous decision to abandon the fixture only prove that the law enforcement has taken control of the football," the club announced publicly.
The other team has remained silent, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The ruling by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on 6 November has sparked broad condemnation.
The British authorities has later announced it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and investigating what further support might be needed to ensure the game can be hosted safely.
Aston Villa informed their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the fixture, saying they understood that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, local authorities stated it endorsed the restriction and designated the fixture as "high risk" due to reports and past events.
That included "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and their supporters ahead of a game in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been protests at various games regarding the war in Gaza, such as when the national team played the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers.
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ReleasedAugust 16
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