Tel Aviv Derby Postponed Following Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in haze prior to the planned beginning
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Issued
The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was cancelled ahead of commencement on the weekend, due to what law enforcement characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," Israeli police announced on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, this is chaos and major hostilities".
Twelve civilians and three law enforcement members were injured, police said, while nine people were arrested and 16 detained for questioning.
The disturbances happen just days after authorities in the Britain stated that followers of the club ought to be banned to attend the international tournament game at Aston Villa in England the following month because of public safety worries.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the game abandonment, claiming law enforcement of "getting ready for a battle, rather than a football match", particularly during meetings in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The alarming incidents around the arena and following the reckless and outrageous decision not to hold the fixture only show that the authorities has assumed command over the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The decision by security authorities to prohibit club followers from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The UK government has later announced it is working to overturn the prohibition and considering what further support might be required to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the match, saying they understood that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, local authorities confirmed it supported the prohibition and categorized the game as "potentially dangerous" due to intelligence and previous incidents.
That included "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" between the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a fixture in Amsterdam in November 2024, when numerous persons were arrested.
There have been rallies at multiple games concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel played the Scandinavian team and Italy in current qualification games.
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Additional reports
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Released48 hours prior
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Published16 August
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