Tel Aviv Derby Postponed After Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in haze ahead of the planned start
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The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring one local team and their city rivals was called off prior to kick-off on the weekend, due to what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and fireworks were set off," authorities posted on social media, noting "this isn't a sporting event, it constitutes chaos and major hostilities".
A dozen individuals and several police personnel were hurt, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others detained for questioning.
The disturbances come just days after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that followers of the club cannot be permitted to attend the international tournament fixture at the English club in England in November because of security issues.
One team criticised the match postponement, claiming authorities of "preparing for a battle, instead of a sporting event", including during meetings in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The shocking incidents around the arena and after the irresponsible and outrageous judgment not to hold the fixture only prove that the Israel Police has taken control of the game," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and considering what additional resources might be necessary to make certain the match can be held without incident.
The English club notified their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the game, explaining they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it endorsed the prohibition and categorized the game as "concerning" according to intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "serious fights and hate-crime offences" between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a fixture in the Netherlands in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been rallies at multiple sporting events concerning the war in Gaza, for instance when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in current qualification games.
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Published2 days ago
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Published16 August
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