Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed Due to Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke prior to the anticipated beginning
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Released
The Israeli Premier League rivalry match between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of kick-off on the weekend, following what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Many of smoke bombs and fireworks were thrown," law enforcement posted on digital channels, noting "this isn't a football game, it constitutes chaos and major hostilities".
Twelve individuals and multiple police personnel were hurt, police said, while several individuals were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances occur just a brief period after authorities in the Britain announced that followers of the club cannot be permitted to be present at the international tournament match at the Birmingham team in the UK the following month because of safety concerns.
One team condemned the derby cancellation, alleging law enforcement of "preparing for a battle, rather than a football match", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The alarming events outside the arena and due to the ill-considered and scandalous judgment not to hold the fixture only show that the Israel Police has assumed command over the sport," the team announced publicly.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the game was called off.
The ruling by the local safety committee to exclude the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation.
The government officials has since said it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and exploring what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the match can be held without incident.
Villa informed their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On the previous day, law enforcement stated it backed the ban and designated the game as "concerning" according to information and previous incidents.
That encompassed "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between the Dutch team and followers ahead of a fixture in the Dutch capital in November 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been protests at various athletic competitions regarding the war in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in latest international matches.
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Posted48 hours prior
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Issued16 August
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