Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed After Serious Unrest
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was engulfed by smoke before the planned beginning
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The domestic football league rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was abandoned ahead of kick-off on the weekend, due to what police described as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were thrown," Israeli police posted on digital channels, adding "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities".
Twelve civilians and multiple officers were injured, authorities reported, while multiple persons were detained and numerous others detained for questioning.
The clashes occur just days after officials in the UK stated that followers of the club cannot be permitted to be present at the European competition fixture at Aston Villa in England in November because of public safety worries.
One team censured the derby cancellation, alleging authorities of "getting ready for a war, not a football match", even during discussions in the lead-up to the much-expected match.
"The disturbing incidents outside the stadium and after the ill-considered and scandalous ruling not to hold the fixture only prove that the authorities has taken control of the football," the team said in a statement.
The other team has declined to speak, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by security authorities to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has triggered broad condemnation.
The UK government has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be needed to ensure the fixture can be held without incident.
Aston Villa informed their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the fixture, explaining they recognized that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, law enforcement said it backed the prohibition and categorized the match as "concerning" based on intelligence and past events.
That involved "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in Amsterdam in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were detained.
There have been rallies at several sporting events over the situation in Gaza, including when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest qualification games.
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Published48 hours prior
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IssuedAugust 16
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