Tel Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Major Disturbances
The sports venue in the city was filled with smoke prior to the scheduled start
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The Israeli Premier League local clash between one local team and their city rivals was cancelled prior to commencement on Sunday, after what law enforcement labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," authorities posted on social media, emphasizing "this isn't a match, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
A dozen individuals and three law enforcement members were hurt, authorities reported, while several individuals were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances happen just a short time after officials in the Britain announced that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament match at the English club in England next month because of public safety worries.
The local club condemned the game abandonment, accusing Israeli police of "gearing up for a conflict, instead of a sporting event", even during discussions in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing events outside the stadium and after the irresponsible and outrageous decision to cancel the fixture only prove that the authorities has seized authority in the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
The other team has not yet commented, except to confirm the match was cancelled.
The ruling by security authorities to prohibit the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked widespread criticism.
The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and considering what further support might be needed to ensure the game can be held without incident.
The English club notified their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the match, saying they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it supported the ban and classified the game as "potentially dangerous" due to reports and past events.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" between the Dutch team and followers prior to a fixture in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been protests at multiple games over the conflict in Gaza, such as when Israel played Norway and the European team in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
Related topics
- The sport
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Posted2 days ago
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IssuedMid-August
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