Tel Aviv Derby Postponed Following Violent Riots
The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in haze ahead of the planned kick-off
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The domestic football league rivalry match between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned ahead of kick-off on Sunday, following what police described as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Numerous of smoke devices and fireworks were set off," Israeli police announced on digital channels, adding "this is not a match, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities".
A dozen civilians and three law enforcement members were harmed, police said, while several individuals were taken into custody and sixteen questioned by police.
The disturbances happen just a short time after representatives in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the international tournament fixture at the English club in the UK the following month because of security issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the derby cancellation, alleging Israeli police of "gearing up for a war, instead of a sporting event", including during discussions in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The alarming situations near the arena and due to the ill-considered and outrageous decision to abandon the game only demonstrate that the authorities has taken control of the sport," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The ruling by security authorities to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has triggered extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the restriction and considering what additional resources might be necessary to guarantee the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club told their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the match, explaining they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, law enforcement confirmed it backed the restriction and classified the game as "high risk" due to intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That included "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" among the Dutch team and followers before a match in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when more than 60 people were detained.
There have been protests at several sporting events over the situation in Gaza, for instance when the national team faced Norway and Italy in current qualification games.
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Posted48 hours prior
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ReleasedAugust 16
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