Tel Aviv Derby Called Off After Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was engulfed by haze ahead of the planned kick-off
-
Issued
The Israeli Premier League local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned before the start on the weekend, due to what authorities labeled as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Numerous of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were launched," authorities stated on digital channels, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a football game, it constitutes chaos and significant aggression".
Twelve civilians and three law enforcement members were injured, authorities reported, while several individuals were detained and numerous others questioned by police.
The disturbances happen just a short time after officials in the UK said that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to attend the European competition fixture at the English club in Britain next month because of security issues.
The local club condemned the derby cancellation, accusing authorities of "gearing up for a war, instead of a football match", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the much-expected encounter.
"The disturbing events around the venue and following the reckless and outrageous judgment not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the law enforcement has taken control of the football," the team stated officially.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit club followers from the English fixture on November 6 has provoked broad condemnation.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be needed to ensure the game can be hosted safely.
The English club notified their security personnel that they did not have to work at the game, saying they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, law enforcement said it supported the restriction and categorized the match as "high risk" based on intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" between the Dutch team and followers prior to a match in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were detained.
There have been rallies at several games over the situation in Gaza, such as when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in current football World Cup qualifiers.
Associated subjects
- Football
Additional reports
-
-
Releasedrecently
-
-
-
ReleasedMid-August
-