Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Following Major Disturbances
The sports venue in the city was covered in smoke before the planned beginning
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Published
The domestic football league local clash between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned ahead of commencement on the weekend, after what police described as "crowd trouble and violent riots".
"Many of smoke bombs and flares were launched," authorities announced on social media, emphasizing "this isn't a football game, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and several law enforcement members were hurt, officials confirmed, while several individuals were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances come just a brief period after authorities in the UK stated that followers of the club ought to be banned to attend the Europa League fixture at the Birmingham team in Britain next month because of safety concerns.
One team criticised the game abandonment, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a battle, rather than a game", particularly during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing situations around the stadium and due to the irresponsible and outrageous decision to abandon the fixture only demonstrate that the Israel Police has seized authority in the sport," the club stated officially.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has provoked broad condemnation.
The UK government has since said it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and considering what further support might be needed to ensure the game can be conducted securely.
Villa notified their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the game, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities said it supported the ban and categorized the game as "potentially dangerous" based on information and previous incidents.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and hate-crime offences" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a game in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been rallies at multiple sporting events concerning the conflict in Gaza, such as when Israel played Norway and the European team in current qualification games.
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Released2 days ago
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PublishedAugust 16
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