Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in haze prior to the scheduled start
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Published
The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled prior to commencement on Sunday, due to what authorities described as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were launched," Israeli police announced on online platforms, adding "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
Twelve individuals and multiple officers were hurt, police said, while several individuals were detained and sixteen held for interrogation.
The disturbances occur just days after officials in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the international tournament match at Aston Villa in Britain the following month because of public safety worries.
One team condemned the match postponement, claiming Israeli police of "gearing up for a war, rather than a football match", including during talks in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The shocking events around the venue and following the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only prove that the authorities has taken control of the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, only acknowledging the game was called off.
The decision by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has sparked broad condemnation.
The government officials has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and considering what additional resources might be necessary to guarantee the fixture can be held without incident.
Villa told their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, saying they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, West Midlands Police said it endorsed the restriction and categorized the match as "high risk" due to reports and previous incidents.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" among the Dutch team and followers before a fixture in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been rallies at multiple sporting events concerning the war in Gaza, including when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest international matches.
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