Tel Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Major Disturbances
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was engulfed by haze before the anticipated kick-off
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The Israeli Premier League rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was cancelled prior to kick-off on the weekend, after what authorities characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and fireworks were thrown," law enforcement announced on digital channels, adding "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it represents chaos and serious violence".
A dozen people and several police personnel were hurt, authorities reported, while multiple persons were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.
The unrest come just a brief period after officials in the United Kingdom stated that followers of the club should not be allowed to attend the Europa League fixture at Aston Villa in Britain next month because of safety concerns.
The local club censured the match postponement, alleging authorities of "getting ready for a conflict, rather than a football match", including during meetings in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing incidents near the arena and after the reckless and scandalous judgment to abandon the game only prove that the Israel Police has seized authority in the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Their rivals has remained silent, only acknowledging the game was called off.
The judgment by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked widespread criticism.
The government officials has later announced it is seeking to cancel the ban and exploring what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be conducted securely.
Villa informed their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the game, stating they understood that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, local authorities said it endorsed the prohibition and designated the fixture as "potentially dangerous" based on intelligence and past events.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and their supporters prior to a match in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.
There have been protests at multiple sporting events over the conflict in Gaza, for instance when Israel faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest international matches.
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PublishedAugust 16
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