Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Major Disturbances
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke before the planned kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of commencement on the weekend, following what authorities labeled as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke devices and flares were thrown," Israeli police announced on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it represents chaos and significant aggression".
Twelve individuals and several officers were injured, police said, while several individuals were arrested and sixteen detained for questioning.
The disturbances come just days after representatives in the UK said that followers of the club should not be allowed to attend the international tournament match at the Birmingham team in the UK in November because of security issues.
The local club condemned the match postponement, alleging Israeli police of "getting ready for a battle, not a sporting event", even during discussions in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The shocking incidents outside the venue and after the irresponsible and outrageous ruling not to hold the game only prove that the law enforcement has seized authority in the sport," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has declined to speak, merely stating the game was called off.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the restriction and exploring what extra measures might be needed to ensure the game can be hosted safely.
The English club told their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the match, explaining they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On Thursday, local authorities stated it backed the prohibition and classified the fixture as "concerning" according to information and past events.
That encompassed "violent clashes and bigotry-related acts" involving the Dutch team and their supporters prior to a match in the Netherlands in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at various athletic competitions concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest qualification games.
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PublishedAugust 16
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