Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was filled with smoke ahead of the scheduled kick-off
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The domestic football league local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off prior to commencement on the weekend, after what authorities described as "crowd trouble and violent riots".
"Numerous of smoke bombs and flares were thrown," Israeli police posted on digital channels, emphasizing "this is not a football game, it constitutes chaos and significant aggression".
A dozen people and several police personnel were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were detained and sixteen detained for questioning.
The clashes happen just a brief period after representatives in the United Kingdom said that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to attend the international tournament fixture at the English club in Britain the following month because of safety concerns.
The local club condemned the derby cancellation, claiming Israeli police of "preparing for a battle, not a football match", including during meetings in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The alarming incidents around the stadium and following the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the law enforcement has assumed command over the sport," the club announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has triggered widespread criticism.
The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the ban and considering what extra measures might be required to make certain the game can be hosted safely.
The English club informed their security personnel that they did not have to work at the match, saying they acknowledged that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities confirmed it supported the ban and categorized the fixture as "high risk" based on reports and earlier occurrences.
That included "violent clashes and bigotry-related acts" among the Dutch team and their supporters before a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when numerous persons were arrested.
There have been protests at several athletic competitions regarding the situation in Gaza, including when the national team played the Scandinavian team and Italy in current international matches.
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Posted2 days ago
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Released16 August
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