Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off After Violent Riots
The sports venue in the city was filled with smoke before the planned start
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Published
The domestic football league rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before commencement on the weekend, after what authorities described as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Many of smoke grenades and fireworks were launched," authorities posted on social media, adding "this isn't a football game, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities".
Twelve civilians and several police personnel were hurt, officials confirmed, while nine people were detained and numerous others held for interrogation.
The clashes come just a short time after authorities in the Britain said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to go to the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in England next month because of safety concerns.
One team censured the game abandonment, accusing authorities of "getting ready for a battle, not a game", even during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited match.
"The disturbing situations outside the stadium and following the reckless and unacceptable judgment to cancel the match only demonstrate that the law enforcement has taken control of the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.
Their rivals has not yet commented, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.
The judgment by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to prohibit the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on the sixth of November has triggered broad condemnation.
The UK government has since said it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and considering what extra measures might be required to make certain the fixture can be hosted safely.
The English club told their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the match, stating they understood that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, law enforcement said it backed the ban and designated the match as "concerning" according to intelligence and earlier occurrences.
That involved "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a fixture in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when more than 60 people were detained.
There have been protests at multiple athletic competitions concerning the war in Gaza, including when Israel played the Scandinavian team and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers.
Associated subjects
- Soccer
Additional reports
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Posted2 days ago
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PublishedMid-August
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