Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in haze before the scheduled kick-off
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The domestic football league derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was cancelled ahead of kick-off on the weekend, following what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke grenades and flares were set off," law enforcement stated on social media, noting "this cannot be considered a match, this is unrest and serious violence".
Twelve people and three officers were injured, authorities reported, while several individuals were detained and sixteen detained for questioning.
The clashes happen just a short time after officials in the UK said that followers of the club should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament match at Aston Villa in England in November because of public safety worries.
The local club condemned the match postponement, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, not a sporting event", even during discussions in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The alarming situations near the stadium and after the ill-considered and unacceptable decision not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the football," the team announced publicly.
The other team has declined to speak, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The decision by the local safety committee to ban the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked widespread criticism.
The British authorities has later announced it is attempting to reverse the restriction and exploring what additional resources might be necessary to ensure the match can be held without incident.
Villa told their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, law enforcement confirmed it endorsed the prohibition and classified the fixture as "high risk" based on information and previous incidents.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" among Ajax and their supporters prior to a fixture in Amsterdam in late 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several sporting events over the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in recent qualification games.
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Released2 days ago
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PublishedAugust 16
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