Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled After Major Disturbances
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in haze ahead of the scheduled beginning
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Issued
The domestic football league derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned prior to kick-off on the weekend, due to what police characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke grenades and fireworks were thrown," law enforcement announced on social media, noting "this cannot be considered a football game, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and multiple law enforcement members were harmed, officials confirmed, while nine people were taken into custody and sixteen 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 attend the Europa League game at the Birmingham team in the UK in November because of safety concerns.
Hapoel Tel Aviv criticised the match postponement, claiming authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, instead of a sporting event", including during discussions in the preparation to the much-expected encounter.
"The disturbing situations around the arena and after the irresponsible and outrageous judgment not to hold the fixture only show that the authorities has assumed command over the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
Their rivals has not yet commented, only acknowledging the game was called off.
The ruling by security authorities to exclude club followers from the Birmingham game on 6 November has sparked widespread criticism.
The UK government has since said it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be necessary to ensure the match can be conducted securely.
Villa notified their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the game, explaining they acknowledged that some "could be worried".
On Thursday, law enforcement said it backed the prohibition and categorized the fixture as "high risk" according to intelligence and previous incidents.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" between Ajax and followers prior to a fixture in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.
There have been demonstrations at several sporting events over the situation in Gaza, for instance when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest qualification games.
Associated subjects
- The sport
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Posted48 hours prior
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ReleasedAugust 16
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