The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, after what police described as public disorder and violent riots. Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, Israeli police posted on X, adding this is not a football game, this is disorder and serious violence. Twelve civilians and three police officers sustained injuries, and police reported that nine individuals were arrested and a further 16 were detained for questioning. The unrest comes just days after UK officials suggested that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to attend the upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa in England due to safety concerns.
Hapoel Tel Aviv expressed their disappointment over the cancellation, accusing Israeli police of treating the event as a potential war zone rather than a sporting event. They stated, The shocking events outside the stadium and following the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport. Maccabi Tel Aviv has yet to make a statement beyond confirming the cancellation.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has faced pushback. The UK government is currently working to overturn this suspension and examining potential resources to ensure the match can be hosted safely. West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high risk based on intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in 2024, which led to over 60 arrests. Protests have also occurred at other sporting events related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including during international matches involving Israel.
Hapoel Tel Aviv expressed their disappointment over the cancellation, accusing Israeli police of treating the event as a potential war zone rather than a sporting event. They stated, The shocking events outside the stadium and following the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport. Maccabi Tel Aviv has yet to make a statement beyond confirming the cancellation.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on November 6 has faced pushback. The UK government is currently working to overturn this suspension and examining potential resources to ensure the match can be hosted safely. West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high risk based on intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in 2024, which led to over 60 arrests. Protests have also occurred at other sporting events related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including during international matches involving Israel.
