Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Due to Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was covered in haze before the scheduled beginning
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The domestic football league local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned prior to commencement on Sunday, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Many of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were set off," Israeli police stated on digital channels, noting "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes chaos and significant aggression".
Twelve civilians and multiple law enforcement members were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were arrested and sixteen questioned by police.
The clashes occur just a short time after officials in the UK said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to go to the Europa League match at Aston Villa in England the following month because of safety concerns.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the match postponement, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a sporting event", even during talks in the preparation to the highly-anticipated match.
"The alarming events outside the venue and after the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the Israel Police has seized authority in the sport," the team stated officially.
The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The ruling by security authorities to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked extensive disapproval.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the ban and exploring what additional resources might be necessary to ensure the game can be hosted safely.
Aston Villa notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the match, explaining they understood that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities confirmed it supported the prohibition and categorized the match as "concerning" according to intelligence and previous incidents.
That included "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" between the Dutch team and followers prior to a match in the Netherlands in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at various sporting events regarding the war in Gaza, including when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in latest qualification games.
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Released16 August
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