Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was filled with smoke ahead of the anticipated beginning
-
Released
The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off ahead of the start on Sunday, due to what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were set off," Israeli police stated on online platforms, noting "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes unrest and serious violence".
A dozen people and multiple law enforcement members were harmed, authorities reported, while nine people were taken into custody and 16 questioned by police.
The clashes occur just a brief period after authorities in the United Kingdom announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the European competition fixture at the English club in the UK next month because of security issues.
The local club criticised the game abandonment, claiming law enforcement of "preparing for a war, rather than a sporting event", particularly during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing incidents around the arena and due to the reckless and scandalous decision to cancel the fixture only prove that the authorities has assumed command over the football," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has not yet commented, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has later announced it is working to overturn the prohibition and exploring what further support might be required to make certain the game can be conducted securely.
Villa notified their security personnel that they were not required to attend at the match, explaining they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, law enforcement confirmed it endorsed the restriction and categorized the fixture as "high risk" due to information and past events.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" among Ajax and their supporters before a fixture in the Netherlands in late 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several athletic competitions regarding the situation in Gaza, such as when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in latest qualification games.
Related topics
- The sport
Additional reports
-
-
Published2 days ago
-
-
-
Issued16 August
-
