Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Following Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke ahead of the planned beginning
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The domestic football league local clash between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before the start on Sunday, following what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and fireworks were launched," Israeli police posted on social media, noting "this isn't a football game, it represents chaos and major hostilities".
Twelve people and multiple police personnel were injured, authorities reported, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning.
The clashes come just days after authorities in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team should not be allowed to go to the international tournament match at the Birmingham team in England the following month because of safety concerns.
The local club condemned the match postponement, accusing authorities of "preparing for a war, instead of a sporting event", even during discussions in the lead-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The disturbing events outside the arena and after the reckless and scandalous judgment not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the Israel Police has seized authority in the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
The other team has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The judgment by the local safety committee to exclude club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has triggered extensive disapproval.
The government officials has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what further support might be necessary to guarantee the fixture can be hosted safely.
Villa told their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, explaining they understood that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, law enforcement stated it endorsed the prohibition and designated the game as "concerning" according to information and past events.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" among the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a match in the Netherlands in November 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.
There have been rallies at various athletic competitions concerning the war in Gaza, including when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in current international matches.
Associated subjects
- Soccer
Additional reports
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Posted48 hours prior
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PublishedMid-August
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