Tel Aviv Derby Postponed After Major Disturbances
The sports venue in the city was engulfed by smoke ahead of the planned beginning
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The domestic football league rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was abandoned before the start on the weekend, following what police labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Many of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were launched," authorities stated on online platforms, noting "this is not a sporting event, it represents disorder and serious violence".
A dozen people and multiple officers were harmed, authorities reported, while nine people were detained and numerous others questioned by police.
The disturbances come just a short time after representatives in the Britain said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in the UK in November because of security issues.
One team criticised the derby cancellation, claiming law enforcement of "gearing up for a war, rather than a football match", even during meetings in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The disturbing events outside the arena and due to the irresponsible and outrageous ruling to abandon the match only show that the authorities has taken control of the game," the club said in a statement.
The other team has not yet commented, merely stating the game was called off.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude club followers from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has provoked broad condemnation.
The UK government has subsequently stated it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and investigating what additional resources might be needed to guarantee the match can be hosted safely.
The English club informed their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the game, explaining they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, local authorities confirmed it supported the ban and categorized the match as "high risk" due to information and past events.
That included "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" involving the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a match in Amsterdam in late 2024, when numerous persons were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at multiple games concerning the conflict in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against Norway and the European team in recent international matches.
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Posted48 hours prior
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Published16 August
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