Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed Due to Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by smoke prior to the planned start
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Released
The domestic football league local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off prior to commencement on the weekend, after what police labeled as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke devices and fireworks were thrown," authorities announced on online platforms, noting "this isn't a sporting event, it represents disorder and serious violence".
Twelve individuals and three law enforcement members were injured, authorities reported, while multiple persons were taken into custody and sixteen held for interrogation.
The clashes occur just a brief period after authorities in the UK said that followers of the club ought to be banned to attend the international tournament match at the English club in Britain the following month because of security issues.
The local club criticised the derby cancellation, accusing authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, not a sporting event", particularly during meetings in the preparation to the much-expected fixture.
"The disturbing incidents outside the stadium and after the irresponsible and scandalous decision to abandon the game only show that the Israel Police has seized authority in the football," the club stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, except to confirm the game was called off.
The decision by security authorities to prohibit club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the ban and exploring what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the match can be conducted securely.
The English club told their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the fixture, explaining they understood that some "could be worried".
On Thursday, law enforcement stated it supported the restriction and classified the match as "potentially dangerous" due to reports and previous incidents.
That encompassed "violent clashes and bigotry-related acts" involving Ajax and their supporters prior to a fixture in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been protests at several games over the war in Gaza, such as when the national team played Norway and the European team in recent qualification games.
Associated subjects
- Football
Further coverage
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Released48 hours prior
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IssuedMid-August
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