Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Following Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was engulfed by smoke prior to the planned kick-off
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The domestic football league derby between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off before kick-off on the weekend, following what law enforcement described as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke bombs and fireworks were thrown," authorities stated on online platforms, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a match, this is disorder and significant aggression".
A dozen individuals and multiple officers were harmed, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others detained for questioning.
The unrest occur just a brief period after representatives in the UK said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to attend the Europa League game at the English club in Britain in November because of public safety worries.
One team condemned the game abandonment, claiming authorities of "preparing for a war, instead of a game", including during talks in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated match.
"The shocking situations around the stadium and due to the reckless and unacceptable judgment to cancel the match only prove that the authorities has taken control of the football," the club said in a statement.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by security authorities to ban the team's supporters from the English fixture on November 6 has triggered widespread criticism.
The British authorities has later announced it is working to overturn the prohibition and considering what additional resources might be required to guarantee the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the game, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police stated it supported the restriction and designated the game as "concerning" based on reports and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" between Ajax and followers before a match in Amsterdam in late 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at multiple athletic competitions regarding the war in Gaza, for instance when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers.
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Additional reports
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Published48 hours prior
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ReleasedMid-August
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