Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed After Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was filled with smoke before the anticipated kick-off
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The domestic football league rivalry match featuring one local team and their city rivals was abandoned prior to kick-off on the weekend, due to what law enforcement characterized as "public disorder and major clashes".
"Many of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were thrown," authorities stated on digital channels, noting "this isn't a sporting event, it represents chaos and major hostilities".
A dozen civilians and multiple police personnel were injured, officials confirmed, while several individuals were detained and 16 questioned by police.
The disturbances occur just a brief period after authorities in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to go to the international tournament match at Aston Villa in the UK next month because of safety concerns.
One team criticised the game abandonment, accusing authorities of "preparing for a war, rather than a game", including during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.
"The alarming incidents outside the arena and after the reckless and outrageous decision to cancel the fixture only demonstrate that the authorities has seized authority in the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The decision by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has sparked broad condemnation.
The UK government has subsequently stated it is seeking to cancel the restriction and considering what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the fixture can be held without incident.
Villa informed their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the game, explaining they acknowledged that some "might feel uneasy".
On Thursday, law enforcement said it supported the prohibition and categorized the game as "high risk" according to information and previous incidents.
That involved "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" among Ajax and their supporters ahead of a match in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been protests at several athletic competitions concerning the situation in Gaza, such as when Israel faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in current international matches.
Associated subjects
- The sport
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Posted2 days ago
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IssuedAugust 16
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