Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed Due to Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the scheduled kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled ahead of the start on Sunday, after what police characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Many of smoke grenades and fireworks were set off," Israeli police posted on digital channels, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, it constitutes disorder and major hostilities".
A dozen civilians and several officers were harmed, authorities reported, while nine people were arrested and numerous others held for interrogation.
The disturbances happen just a brief period after representatives in the UK said that followers of the club ought to be banned to attend the Europa League fixture at the English club in England the following month because of public safety worries.
The local club condemned the derby cancellation, alleging law enforcement of "gearing up for a war, instead of a game", including during talks in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated encounter.
"The alarming incidents outside the arena and due to the reckless and unacceptable ruling to abandon the fixture only show that the authorities has taken control of the football," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has declined to speak, except to confirm the game was called off.
The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on the sixth of November has provoked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has later announced it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what extra measures might be required to ensure the match can be conducted securely.
Aston Villa told their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the game, stating they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police stated it backed the ban and designated the match as "high risk" based on reports and past events.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and their supporters before a fixture in the Netherlands in November 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.
There have been protests at various games concerning the situation in Gaza, including when the national team played Norway and the European team in current football World Cup qualifiers.
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