The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke prior to the anticipated kick-off
-
Published
The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off prior to the start on the weekend, after what police characterized as "crowd trouble and major clashes".
"Many of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown," Israeli police announced on social media, noting "this isn't a match, it constitutes disorder and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and three law enforcement members were harmed, officials confirmed, while nine people were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances happen just a short time after authorities in the Britain said that followers of the club cannot be permitted to be present at the European competition fixture at the English club in England in November because of security issues.
The local club criticised the derby cancellation, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a game", including during meetings in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.
"The disturbing incidents around the arena and after the ill-considered and outrageous ruling to abandon the game only prove that the law enforcement has seized authority in the sport," the club announced publicly.
Their rivals has remained silent, merely stating the game was called off.
The judgment by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has sparked broad condemnation.
The UK government has since said it is working to overturn the ban and investigating what extra measures might be needed to make certain the fixture can be held without incident.
Villa told their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the fixture, stating they recognized that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, local authorities stated it supported the ban and classified the match as "concerning" due to information and earlier occurrences.
That included "serious fights and hate-crime offences" involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a fixture in Amsterdam in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.
There have been rallies at several athletic competitions regarding the war in Gaza, including when the national team competed against Norway and the European team in recent international matches.
Connected themes
- Football
Further coverage
-
-
Released2 days ago
-
-
-
PublishedMid-August
-
