Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off After Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in smoke ahead of the scheduled start
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The Israeli Premier League derby between one local team and their city rivals was cancelled ahead of kick-off on the weekend, after what police described as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were set off," authorities announced on online platforms, noting "this is not a football game, it represents unrest and significant aggression".
A dozen people and multiple law enforcement members were hurt, police said, while several individuals were taken into custody and numerous others questioned by police.
The clashes happen just a brief period after representatives in the United Kingdom said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to attend the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in Britain in November because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "gearing up for a battle, not a game", including during discussions in the lead-up to the much-expected encounter.
"The alarming events near the arena and due to the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the football," the club announced publicly.
The other team has not yet commented, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on November 6 has sparked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and investigating what further support might be necessary to make certain the game can be hosted safely.
The English club informed their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the game, saying they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police confirmed it backed the ban and categorized the match as "potentially dangerous" according to information and earlier occurrences.
That involved "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a game in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when numerous persons were detained.
There have been rallies at several sporting events regarding the situation in Gaza, such as when Israel faced Norway and the European team in latest football World Cup qualifiers.
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Additional reports
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Released2 days ago
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Issued16 August
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