Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Serious Unrest
The sports venue in the city was engulfed by smoke prior to the planned beginning
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Issued
The domestic football league rivalry match featuring one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled ahead of the start on the weekend, after what law enforcement characterized as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".
"Numerous of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were set off," authorities posted on social media, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, it constitutes unrest and significant aggression".
Twelve individuals and three police personnel were hurt, officials confirmed, while several individuals were arrested and sixteen held for interrogation.
The unrest occur just a brief period after authorities in the UK stated that followers of the club should not be allowed to attend the European competition match at the Birmingham team in Britain the following month because of security issues.
The local club criticised the derby cancellation, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a game", even during discussions in the build-up to the highly-anticipated encounter.
"The disturbing incidents near the arena and due to the ill-considered and scandalous ruling not to hold the game only show that the law enforcement has taken control of the football," the club announced publicly.
The other team has declined to speak, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the English fixture on November 6 has provoked extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has later announced it is working to overturn the restriction and considering what extra measures might be needed to make certain the game can be conducted securely.
The English club informed their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the fixture, stating they understood that some "could be worried".
On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it backed the ban and classified the fixture as "high risk" based on information and earlier occurrences.
That encompassed "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" involving the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a game in the Netherlands in late 2024, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.
There have been demonstrations at several games concerning the war in Gaza, for instance when Israel played the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent qualification games.
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Additional reports
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Released48 hours prior
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IssuedMid-August
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