Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Due to Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by haze prior to the planned start
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned before kick-off on the weekend, after what police labeled as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were launched," law enforcement posted on online platforms, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
Twelve individuals and multiple officers were hurt, police said, while nine people were taken into custody and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances come just a brief period after representatives in the UK announced that followers of the club ought to be banned to be present at the international tournament match at the English club in Britain next month because of safety concerns.
The local club criticised the game abandonment, claiming authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, not a sporting event", particularly during discussions in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The alarming situations outside the venue and following the irresponsible and outrageous ruling to abandon the match only prove that the law enforcement has taken control of the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, except to confirm the game was called off.
The ruling by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has triggered widespread criticism.
The government officials has later announced it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and exploring what further support might be necessary to ensure the match can be hosted safely.
Villa informed their security personnel that they did not have to work at the game, explaining they understood that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, local authorities confirmed it backed the restriction and designated the fixture as "high risk" based on information and earlier occurrences.
That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a fixture in the Netherlands in November 2024, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.
There have been rallies at multiple athletic competitions concerning the situation in Gaza, including when Israel faced Norway and Italy in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
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