Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off After Serious Unrest
The sports venue in the city was filled with haze before the planned kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off prior to kick-off on Sunday, following what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Many of smoke grenades and flares were launched," law enforcement posted on digital channels, noting "this isn't a sporting event, this is chaos and major hostilities".
A dozen people and multiple police personnel were injured, police said, while several individuals were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances come just a short time after authorities in the UK stated that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to attend the international tournament fixture at Aston Villa in Britain in November because of public safety worries.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the derby cancellation, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a battle, instead of a game", even during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The shocking situations near the stadium and due to the reckless and scandalous ruling to abandon the fixture only prove that the authorities has taken control of the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by the local safety committee to ban the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on November 6 has triggered broad condemnation.
The UK government has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what further support might be required to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
Villa informed their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, explaining they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it supported the prohibition and classified the match as "concerning" due to reports and earlier occurrences.
That involved "serious fights and discrimination incidents" among the Dutch team and followers prior to a match in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been rallies at various sporting events regarding the conflict in Gaza, including when the national team played Norway and the European team in current football World Cup qualifiers.
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Releasedrecently
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IssuedMid-August
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