Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was filled with smoke before the planned kick-off
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Published
The Israeli Premier League rivalry match between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off before the start on Sunday, after what authorities labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," law enforcement stated on digital channels, emphasizing "this is not a match, this is chaos and serious violence".
A dozen individuals and multiple officers were hurt, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others detained for questioning.
The clashes come just a short time after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to attend the European competition match at the Birmingham team in Britain the following month because of security issues.
The local club censured the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "preparing for a war, not a sporting event", including during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.
"The shocking incidents outside the venue and due to the reckless and outrageous judgment to abandon the fixture only show that the Israel Police has taken control of the game," the team stated officially.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by the local safety committee to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on 6 November has sparked extensive disapproval.
The UK government has later announced it is attempting to reverse the ban and investigating what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be held without incident.
The English club informed their security personnel that they were not required to attend at the fixture, stating they understood that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities stated it backed the ban and designated the fixture as "high risk" due to information and previous incidents.
That encompassed "serious fights and hate-crime offences" involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a fixture in Amsterdam in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been rallies at various sporting events over the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against Norway and the European team in latest qualification games.
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Published2 days ago
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ReleasedAugust 16
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