Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Serious Unrest
The sports venue in the city was covered in haze ahead of the anticipated start
-
Published
The domestic football league derby featuring one local team and their city rivals was called off ahead of the start on Sunday, due to what police described as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Numerous of smoke grenades and flares were thrown," law enforcement announced on online platforms, emphasizing "this is not a match, it represents disorder and serious violence".
A dozen people and several law enforcement members were harmed, police said, while multiple persons were detained and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances occur just a short time after authorities in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to go to the international tournament game at Aston Villa in England in November because of safety concerns.
Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the match postponement, accusing authorities of "getting ready for a battle, rather than a sporting event", including during discussions in the preparation to the much-expected match.
"The alarming situations outside the stadium and due to the ill-considered and scandalous judgment to abandon the fixture only show that the law enforcement has assumed command over the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has sparked broad condemnation.
The government officials has subsequently stated it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and exploring what extra measures might be necessary to ensure the match can be conducted securely.
Villa informed their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, local authorities stated it supported the ban and categorized the match as "high risk" due to information and previous incidents.
That included "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between the Dutch team and followers ahead of a game in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been protests at multiple games over the war in Gaza, for instance when Israel played the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
Connected themes
- Soccer
Additional reports
-
-
Posted48 hours prior
-
-
-
IssuedAugust 16
-
