Tel Aviv Derby Postponed Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was covered in haze ahead of the anticipated beginning
-
Released
The domestic football league derby involving one local team and their city rivals was cancelled before commencement on the weekend, following what authorities characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Dozens of smoke bombs and fireworks were set off," law enforcement stated on social media, noting "this isn't a football game, it represents unrest and significant aggression".
A dozen people and several officers were harmed, authorities reported, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others detained for questioning.
The unrest come just a short time after authorities in the United Kingdom stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to be present at the international tournament fixture at the English club in England next month because of security issues.
The local club condemned the game abandonment, alleging law enforcement of "gearing up for a war, not a game", particularly during meetings in the preparation to the highly-anticipated fixture.
"The disturbing incidents outside the stadium and due to the ill-considered and outrageous judgment not to hold the game only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The decision by security authorities to exclude the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has triggered widespread criticism.
The government officials has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be hosted safely.
The English club told their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the fixture, stating they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it supported the prohibition and classified the game as "potentially dangerous" due to reports and earlier occurrences.
That involved "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a game in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several games regarding the conflict in Gaza, for instance when the national team played the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent qualification games.
Related topics
- Football
Additional reports
-
-
Posted48 hours prior
-
-
-
PublishedAugust 16
-
