Tel Aviv Derby Called Off Following Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke before the anticipated kick-off
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Published
The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before the start on Sunday, following what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were launched," Israeli police posted on digital channels, adding "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes disorder and serious violence".
A dozen individuals and multiple law enforcement members were injured, authorities reported, while nine people were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances happen just a short time after authorities in the United Kingdom announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the European competition match at the English club in the UK the following month because of safety concerns.
One team condemned the game abandonment, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, instead of a football match", including during discussions in the preparation to the highly-anticipated encounter.
"The alarming events around the arena and due to the reckless and scandalous decision to cancel the game only show that the Israel Police has taken control of the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
The other team has remained silent, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on the sixth of November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the ban and considering what further support might be required to ensure the fixture can be hosted safely.
Villa informed their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, stating they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police stated it endorsed the prohibition and designated the fixture as "potentially dangerous" according to reports and past events.
That encompassed "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" involving the Dutch team and their supporters ahead of a game in Amsterdam in late 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been protests at various sporting events over the war in Gaza, including when Israel played the Scandinavian team and Italy in current international matches.
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