Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off After Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the planned kick-off
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The domestic football league rivalry match involving one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, due to what police characterized as "civil unrest and major clashes".
"Many of smoke devices and fireworks were set off," Israeli police stated on digital channels, noting "this isn't a football game, it represents disorder and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and three law enforcement members were harmed, police said, while multiple persons were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning.
The unrest happen just days after officials in the Britain stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to attend the Europa League match at Aston Villa in the UK the following month because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the match postponement, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a war, rather than a sporting event", including during meetings in the preparation to the much-expected encounter.
"The alarming situations near the stadium and following the ill-considered and outrageous ruling not to hold the fixture only prove that the authorities has taken control of the football," the team stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on November 6 has sparked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is attempting to reverse the ban and exploring what extra measures might be needed to ensure the match can be conducted securely.
Villa notified their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, saying they acknowledged that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities said it backed the prohibition and categorized the match as "concerning" due to information and earlier occurrences.
That involved "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" involving the Dutch team and followers ahead of a match in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at several athletic competitions concerning the conflict in Gaza, for instance when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in recent international matches.
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Released16 August
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