Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled After Major Disturbances
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke prior to the planned kick-off
-
Issued
The domestic football league derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled ahead of kick-off on the weekend, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Numerous of smoke devices and fireworks were launched," law enforcement announced on social media, emphasizing "this isn't a match, it constitutes disorder and serious violence".
A dozen people and several law enforcement members were hurt, officials confirmed, while several individuals were taken into custody and sixteen questioned by police.
The clashes occur just a short time after representatives in the Britain said that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament fixture at Aston Villa in the UK in November because of safety concerns.
One team criticised the game abandonment, claiming authorities of "gearing up for a battle, not a sporting event", even during meetings in the preparation to the much-expected fixture.
"The alarming events around the venue and due to the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment not to hold the game only show that the authorities has seized authority in the football," the team stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to prohibit the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation.
The British authorities has later announced it is attempting to reverse the restriction and investigating what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be held without incident.
Aston Villa told their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the match, stating they recognized that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police stated it endorsed the prohibition and designated the match as "high risk" according to reports and earlier occurrences.
That included "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between Ajax and followers prior to a match in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at multiple athletic competitions over the situation in Gaza, including when the national team played Norway and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers.
Related topics
- Soccer
Further coverage
-
-
Posted48 hours prior
-
-
-
Issued16 August
-
