Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Major Disturbances

• Published
  October 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM BST

The Israeli Premier League derby involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned before commencement on the weekend, following what police labeled as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".

"Many of smoke grenades and fireworks were launched," Israeli police announced on digital channels, emphasizing "this is not a sporting event, this is chaos and significant aggression".

Twelve civilians and several law enforcement members were hurt, police said, while multiple persons were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.

The clashes occur just a short time after authorities in the United Kingdom said that followers of the club ought to be banned to attend the Europa League match at Aston Villa in the UK next month because of security issues.

The local club censured the match postponement, claiming law enforcement of "gearing up for a war, not a sporting event", including during discussions in the build-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.

"The alarming events outside the arena and following the reckless and scandalous ruling to abandon the game only demonstrate that the Israel Police has assumed command over the sport," the club said in a statement.

The other team has remained silent, except to confirm the match was cancelled.

The ruling by security authorities to exclude the team's supporters from the English fixture on the sixth of November has triggered extensive disapproval.

The UK government has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the restriction and exploring what extra measures might be necessary to make certain the game can be conducted securely.

Aston Villa informed their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the match, stating they recognized that some "could be worried".

On earlier in the week, local authorities confirmed it backed the prohibition and designated the game as "concerning" according to reports and earlier occurrences.

That encompassed "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" involving the Dutch team and their supporters ahead of a game in the Netherlands in November 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.

There have been rallies at several athletic competitions over the conflict in Gaza, for instance when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent international matches.

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