Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was filled with smoke prior to the scheduled start
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Published
The Israeli Premier League derby between one local team and their city rivals was called off prior to the start on the weekend, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," law enforcement posted on social media, noting "this isn't a football game, this is unrest and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and multiple officers were hurt, police said, while multiple persons were detained and numerous others detained for questioning.
The unrest happen just days after representatives in the UK announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to go to the European competition game at the Birmingham team in the UK next month because of safety concerns.
One team condemned the game abandonment, alleging Israeli police of "preparing for a war, not a sporting event", even during talks in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing incidents around the arena and after the reckless and scandalous ruling to abandon the match only prove that the law enforcement has assumed command over the game," the club stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, merely stating the game was called off.
The decision by security authorities to exclude club followers from the English fixture on November 6 has triggered broad condemnation.
The government officials has later announced it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and exploring what further support might be required to ensure the game can be hosted safely.
The English club told their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, stating they understood that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, law enforcement said it backed the restriction and classified the game as "high risk" according to intelligence and past events.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when numerous persons were arrested.
There have been protests at multiple games concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel played the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
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