Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Due to Serious Unrest
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke ahead of the scheduled start
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The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off prior to commencement on Sunday, following what police labeled as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Many of smoke bombs and flares were launched," Israeli police posted on digital channels, adding "this cannot be considered a football game, this is disorder and major hostilities".
Twelve individuals and three officers were injured, officials confirmed, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 questioned by police.
The disturbances come just days after officials in the UK announced that followers of the club should not be allowed to be present at the Europa League game at the English club in Britain the following month because of safety concerns.
One team condemned the derby cancellation, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a conflict, not a game", particularly during meetings in the build-up to the much-expected match.
"The shocking events outside the arena and after the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment to abandon the match only prove that the authorities has assumed command over the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, except to confirm the game was called off.
The judgment by security authorities to exclude the team's supporters from the English fixture on November 6 has triggered widespread criticism.
The government officials has since said it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and exploring what additional resources might be required to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the game, stating they recognized that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, law enforcement said it endorsed the ban and designated the game as "high risk" based on information and previous incidents.
That encompassed "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a game in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been rallies at various games regarding the situation in Gaza, for instance when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in latest qualification games.
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PublishedAugust 16
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