Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Following Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by smoke prior to the anticipated start
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned ahead of kick-off on Sunday, following what authorities characterized as "public disorder and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke grenades and fireworks were set off," authorities posted on online platforms, noting "this cannot be considered a football game, it represents chaos and significant aggression".
A dozen individuals and three officers were hurt, police said, while nine people were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning.
The disturbances happen just a brief period after representatives in the United Kingdom announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to go to the international tournament fixture at Aston Villa in England in November because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv criticised the derby cancellation, accusing Israeli police of "preparing for a conflict, not a game", particularly during discussions in the preparation to the much-expected encounter.
"The alarming incidents outside the venue and following the ill-considered and outrageous ruling to abandon the match only prove that the authorities has taken control of the sport," the club announced publicly.
Their rivals has not yet commented, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by security authorities to ban the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on November 6 has sparked widespread criticism.
The UK government has since said it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and considering what extra measures might be required to guarantee the match can be held without incident.
Aston Villa notified their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the game, explaining they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On Thursday, local authorities stated it endorsed the restriction and designated the match as "high risk" according to intelligence and previous incidents.
That included "serious fights and discrimination incidents" among the Dutch team and followers ahead of a fixture in Amsterdam in the previous year, when numerous persons were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at multiple sporting events over the conflict in Gaza, including when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and the European team in current qualification games.
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Postedrecently
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IssuedAugust 16
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