Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled After Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze prior to the planned kick-off
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The domestic football league local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before commencement on Sunday, after what law enforcement labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Many of smoke bombs and flares were set off," law enforcement stated on social media, adding "this isn't a sporting event, this is unrest and significant aggression".
Twelve people and multiple officers were injured, authorities reported, while multiple persons were detained and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances occur just days after authorities in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to attend the European competition fixture at the English club in the UK next month because of safety concerns.
One team condemned the match postponement, alleging authorities of "preparing for a battle, instead of a sporting event", even during talks in the build-up to the much-expected match.
"The alarming incidents around the venue and after the reckless and scandalous decision to cancel the fixture only show that the law enforcement has assumed command over the sport," the team announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has sparked broad condemnation.
The UK government has since said it is working to overturn the prohibition and exploring what further support might be required to ensure the game can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the game, saying they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On Thursday, law enforcement stated it backed the prohibition and categorized the game as "high risk" due to reports and previous incidents.
That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" between the Dutch team and their supporters before a match in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.
There have been protests at several sporting events concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel faced Norway and Italy in recent international matches.
Associated subjects
- Soccer
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Published48 hours prior
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Issued16 August
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