Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in smoke ahead of the anticipated beginning
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The domestic football league derby between one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled prior to kick-off on the weekend, after what authorities described as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Numerous of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were launched," authorities announced on social media, noting "this cannot be considered a football game, it constitutes disorder and serious violence".
Twelve civilians and multiple officers were hurt, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were detained and 16 held for interrogation.
The disturbances occur just a short time after authorities in the UK announced that followers of the club cannot be permitted to attend the European competition game at Aston Villa in the UK in November because of security issues.
One team censured the game abandonment, alleging law enforcement of "preparing for a conflict, instead of a football match", including during meetings in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated match.
"The shocking incidents around the venue and after the irresponsible and outrageous ruling to cancel the match only show that the Israel Police has assumed command over the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.
Their rivals has remained silent, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to exclude the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has triggered broad condemnation.
The government officials has since said it is working to overturn the ban and considering what additional resources might be required to make certain the match can be held without incident.
The English club notified their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the match, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, law enforcement confirmed it endorsed the ban and classified the match as "concerning" due to intelligence and past events.
That encompassed "serious fights and discrimination incidents" involving the Dutch team and their supporters ahead of a fixture in the Netherlands in the previous year, when more than 60 people were arrested.
There have been demonstrations at several games concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when the national team faced Norway and the European team in latest international matches.
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PublishedAugust 16
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