Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in haze before the anticipated start
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The domestic football league derby featuring one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned ahead of commencement on Sunday, following what police characterized as "civil unrest and major clashes".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," authorities stated on online platforms, noting "this is not a sporting event, this is unrest and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and several law enforcement members were injured, police said, while multiple persons were detained and 16 held for interrogation.
The clashes happen just a short time after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to be present at the Europa League match at Aston Villa in England the following month because of public safety worries.
One team censured the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, rather than a sporting event", even during discussions in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.
"The alarming events outside the venue and due to the ill-considered and outrageous decision to abandon the game only show that the law enforcement has seized authority in the football," the club announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on the sixth of November has triggered widespread criticism.
The UK government has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the restriction and exploring what additional resources might be necessary to make certain the match can be conducted securely.
Aston Villa notified their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, saying they understood that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police confirmed it endorsed the restriction and categorized the fixture as "potentially dangerous" due to intelligence and past events.
That included "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" involving the Dutch team and followers prior to a fixture in Amsterdam in the previous year, when numerous persons were detained.
There have been protests at various games concerning the war in Gaza, for instance when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in current football World Cup qualifiers.
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Additional reports
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Published2 days ago
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IssuedAugust 16
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