Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in haze before the planned kick-off
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The domestic football league derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before kick-off on Sunday, due to what law enforcement characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Numerous of smoke grenades and fireworks were launched," law enforcement posted on online platforms, emphasizing "this is not a football game, this is unrest and major hostilities".
A dozen individuals and three law enforcement members were harmed, officials confirmed, while nine people were taken into custody and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances come just a short time after representatives in the United Kingdom announced that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the Europa League game at the English club in Britain next month because of security issues.
One team condemned the game abandonment, accusing Israeli police of "gearing up for a conflict, not a sporting event", including during discussions in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The alarming situations around the venue and after the irresponsible and unacceptable judgment to abandon the fixture only show that the authorities has seized authority in the football," the team stated officially.
Their rivals has not yet commented, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has provoked broad condemnation.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the restriction and exploring what extra measures might be required to guarantee the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club informed their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, stating they understood that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police stated it endorsed the ban and categorized the match as "concerning" due to reports and previous incidents.
That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and their supporters ahead of a game in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been protests at several athletic competitions over the war in Gaza, such as when the national team played the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent international matches.
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Released48 hours prior
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IssuedAugust 16
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