Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Due to Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the anticipated start
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The domestic football league rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was abandoned before kick-off on Sunday, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were set off," authorities stated on online platforms, emphasizing "this isn't a sporting event, it constitutes chaos and significant aggression".
A dozen individuals and multiple officers were hurt, officials confirmed, while several individuals were detained and numerous others held for interrogation.
The unrest happen just days after authorities in the UK announced that supporters of the team should not be allowed to attend the Europa League game at the Birmingham team in the UK in November because of security issues.
The local club censured the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "preparing for a battle, rather than a sporting event", even during discussions in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing situations outside the venue and due to the reckless and unacceptable judgment not to hold the fixture only prove that the law enforcement has seized authority in the sport," the team announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by security authorities to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has triggered widespread criticism.
The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and investigating what further support might be required to guarantee the fixture can be hosted safely.
Villa informed their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the game, explaining they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police confirmed it endorsed the prohibition and designated the game as "concerning" due to intelligence and past events.
That involved "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" involving the Dutch team and their supporters before a fixture in Amsterdam in November 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at several sporting events concerning the war in Gaza, such as when the national team faced Norway and Italy in current international matches.
Related topics
- Football
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Posted2 days ago
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IssuedAugust 16
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