Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by smoke prior to the scheduled kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League derby involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned ahead of kick-off on Sunday, due to what law enforcement labeled as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke grenades and flares were thrown," authorities posted on digital channels, noting "this is not a football game, this is disorder and major hostilities".
Twelve people and several officers were injured, police said, while several individuals were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.
The unrest occur just days after authorities in the UK stated that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the Europa League match at the English club in Britain in November because of security issues.
One team criticised the game abandonment, accusing Israeli police of "preparing for a war, instead of a sporting event", particularly during discussions in the build-up to the much-expected match.
"The shocking situations outside the venue and after the reckless and unacceptable ruling not to hold the game only show that the Israel Police has assumed command over the football," the club stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by security authorities to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and investigating what additional resources might be required to guarantee the match can be hosted safely.
The English club informed their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the game, saying they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police confirmed it endorsed the restriction and classified the match as "potentially dangerous" due to intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That included "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" involving Ajax and followers before a game in Amsterdam in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been protests at several games concerning the war in Gaza, including when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in recent international matches.
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PublishedAugust 16
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