Tel Aviv Derby Cancelled After Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in smoke prior to the planned beginning
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Released
The domestic football league rivalry match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off prior to kick-off on the weekend, following what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Many of smoke grenades and flares were thrown," Israeli police stated on online platforms, noting "this cannot be considered a football game, it represents disorder and major hostilities".
Twelve people and multiple police personnel were hurt, authorities reported, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others questioned by police.
The disturbances come just a short time after officials in the UK announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the Europa League fixture at the English club in England in November because of security issues.
One team criticised the match postponement, accusing Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, not a game", even during talks in the build-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.
"The disturbing events near the venue and following the ill-considered and outrageous judgment not to hold the game only prove that the authorities has seized authority in the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Their rivals has declined to speak, only acknowledging the game was called off.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is seeking to cancel the ban and considering what further support might be required to make certain the match can be hosted safely.
Aston Villa told their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the fixture, saying they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, law enforcement confirmed it endorsed the prohibition and categorized the game as "potentially dangerous" based on intelligence and previous incidents.
That encompassed "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" among the Dutch team and their supporters prior to a match in Amsterdam in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several games concerning the war in Gaza, for instance when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest qualification games.
Associated subjects
- The sport
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Released48 hours prior
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IssuedAugust 16
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