Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Following Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the planned beginning
-
Published
The domestic football league local clash involving one local team and their city rivals was called off before commencement on Sunday, after what police described as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke devices and flares were set off," law enforcement announced on digital channels, emphasizing "this isn't a sporting event, this is unrest and serious violence".
A dozen civilians and three officers were hurt, police said, while several individuals were detained and 16 detained for questioning.
The disturbances occur just a short time after authorities in the Britain announced that followers of the club should not be allowed to be present at the European competition fixture at Aston Villa in the UK in November because of safety concerns.
The local club criticised the derby cancellation, accusing law enforcement of "preparing for a battle, rather than a football match", including during talks in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated match.
"The shocking situations around the venue and following the ill-considered and outrageous ruling to cancel the match only show that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport," the club said in a statement.
The other team has not yet commented, merely stating the game was called off.
The judgment by the local safety committee to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on the sixth of November has provoked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what extra measures might be required to make certain the game can be hosted safely.
Aston Villa told their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the game, explaining they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, local authorities said it backed the ban and designated the fixture as "concerning" according to reports and previous incidents.
That included "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and followers before a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were detained.
There have been rallies at several athletic competitions regarding the war in Gaza, such as when Israel played Norway and the European team in current international matches.
Associated subjects
- The sport
-
-
Releasedrecently
-
-
-
IssuedMid-August
-