Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed After Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by haze prior to the scheduled start
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The Israeli Premier League local clash between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of kick-off on the weekend, following what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Numerous of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were launched," Israeli police posted on social media, emphasizing "this isn't a match, it constitutes disorder and serious violence".
Twelve people and multiple officers were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were taken into custody and 16 held for interrogation.
The unrest come just a brief period after authorities in the UK said that followers of the club cannot be permitted to go to the Europa League match at the Birmingham team in Britain in November because of security issues.
One team censured the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "getting ready for a battle, instead of a football match", particularly during meetings in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.
"The shocking events around the stadium and after the ill-considered and scandalous decision to cancel the fixture only show that the authorities has assumed command over the football," the club stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has sparked widespread criticism.
The British authorities has later announced it is seeking to cancel the ban and considering what extra measures might be necessary to make certain the game can be conducted securely.
Aston Villa informed their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the match, explaining they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police stated it supported the prohibition and categorized the match as "concerning" based on information and earlier occurrences.
That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and their supporters before a match in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at several games over the conflict in Gaza, for instance when Israel played Norway and Italy in recent qualification games.
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PublishedAugust 16
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