Tel Aviv Derby Cancelled Due to Serious Unrest
The sports venue in the city was engulfed by haze prior to the scheduled kick-off
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Released
The domestic football league local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned prior to the start on the weekend, after what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".
"Dozens of smoke grenades and fireworks were launched," authorities posted on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a football game, it represents disorder and major hostilities".
A dozen civilians and several law enforcement members were injured, authorities reported, while nine people were taken into custody and numerous others detained for questioning.
The disturbances occur just a brief period after officials in the UK stated that supporters of the team ought to be banned to go to the European competition match at the Birmingham team in the UK in November because of public safety worries.
Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the match postponement, accusing authorities of "preparing for a battle, instead of a football match", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.
"The disturbing incidents near the arena and due to the ill-considered and scandalous ruling not to hold the match only show that the law enforcement has seized authority in the football," the club announced publicly.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.
The ruling by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has since said it is working to overturn the restriction and exploring what further support might be necessary to ensure the game can be conducted securely.
The English club notified their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, stating they understood that some "might feel uneasy".
On earlier in the week, law enforcement said it backed the prohibition and categorized the fixture as "concerning" according to reports and previous incidents.
That included "physical confrontations and hate-crime offences" between the Dutch team and their supporters before a game in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were detained.
There have been rallies at several games over the conflict in Gaza, such as when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in current qualification games.
Associated subjects
- Football
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Posted48 hours prior
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Issued16 August
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