Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by haze before the anticipated beginning
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The domestic football league derby involving one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned prior to the start on Sunday, due to what police characterized as "public disorder and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were thrown," Israeli police stated on digital channels, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, it represents disorder and significant aggression".
Twelve civilians and several officers were injured, officials confirmed, while several individuals were arrested and numerous others questioned by police.
The disturbances occur just a brief period after officials in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team should not be allowed to attend the international tournament game at the English club in the UK in November because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the match postponement, alleging Israeli police of "preparing for a conflict, instead of a game", particularly during meetings in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The shocking events around the venue and following the reckless and outrageous judgment not to hold the fixture only show that the law enforcement has seized authority in the game," the club said in a statement.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on the sixth of November has provoked widespread criticism.
The UK government has since said it is seeking to cancel the restriction and exploring what further support might be required to guarantee the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club told their security personnel that they did not have to work at the fixture, saying they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, local authorities said it backed the prohibition and classified the fixture as "potentially dangerous" based on reports and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and their supporters prior to a fixture in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at multiple sporting events concerning the war in Gaza, including when Israel played Norway and the European team in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
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Published48 hours prior
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PublishedMid-August
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