Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was filled with haze ahead of the scheduled kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was cancelled ahead of commencement on Sunday, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Numerous of smoke devices and fireworks were set off," authorities announced on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes disorder and major hostilities".
Twelve civilians and several police personnel were hurt, police said, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 held for interrogation.
The clashes occur just a short time after authorities in the UK announced that followers of the club ought to be banned to be present at the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in Britain next month because of public safety worries.
One team condemned the game abandonment, accusing law enforcement of "preparing for a conflict, rather than a football match", including during discussions in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.
"The shocking events near the venue and due to the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment not to hold the fixture only show that the Israel Police has seized authority in the football," the team stated officially.
The other team has declined to speak, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has provoked broad condemnation.
The British authorities has subsequently stated it is seeking to cancel the ban and investigating what additional resources might be necessary to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club told their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the match, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police confirmed it endorsed the ban and classified the match as "concerning" due to information and past events.
That involved "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" between the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a match in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been rallies at multiple athletic competitions over the situation in Gaza, including when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent football World Cup qualifiers.
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Released2 days ago
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Issued16 August
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