Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Due to Violent Riots

• Released
  19 October 2025, 22:27 BST

The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before the start on the weekend, due to what authorities labeled as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".

"Numerous of smoke devices and flares were launched," law enforcement posted on social media, adding "this isn't a sporting event, it represents disorder and significant aggression".

Twelve civilians and three officers were hurt, officials confirmed, while nine people were arrested and sixteen questioned by police.

The disturbances occur just days after authorities in the Britain announced that supporters of the team ought to be banned to be present at the international tournament game at the Birmingham team in England next month because of public safety worries.

Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the match postponement, claiming authorities of "preparing for a conflict, not a game", particularly during talks in the preparation to the highly-anticipated match.

"The disturbing situations near the stadium and due to the reckless and outrageous judgment to abandon the game only demonstrate that the law enforcement has taken control of the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.

The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban club followers from the English fixture on November 6 has sparked broad condemnation.

The UK government has later announced it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and considering what extra measures might be necessary to ensure the game can be held without incident.

Villa told their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the game, explaining they acknowledged that some "could be worried".

On earlier in the week, law enforcement said it endorsed the prohibition and designated the match as "high risk" according to intelligence and past events.

That involved "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" involving the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when numerous persons were detained.

There have been demonstrations at several athletic competitions over the conflict in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest football World Cup qualifiers.

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