Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Violent Riots

• Issued
  19 October 2025, 22:27 BST

The domestic football league rivalry match involving one local team and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned prior to kick-off on the weekend, due to what authorities described as "civil unrest and major clashes".

"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were thrown," law enforcement posted on online platforms, adding "this is not a sporting event, it represents chaos and major hostilities".

Twelve individuals and several law enforcement members were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were detained and 16 held for interrogation.

The disturbances occur just a brief period after authorities in the UK said that supporters of the team ought to be banned to be present at the Europa League match at Aston Villa in the UK in November because of security issues.

One team criticised the match postponement, accusing law enforcement of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a game", even during talks in the build-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.

"The alarming events around the venue and after the ill-considered and scandalous judgment to cancel the match only show that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport," the club announced publicly.

Their rivals has not yet commented, only acknowledging the game was called off.

The judgment by security authorities to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on the sixth of November has provoked extensive disapproval.

The British authorities has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the restriction and considering what further support might be needed to ensure the game can be conducted securely.

Aston Villa notified their stadium staff that they were not required to attend at the match, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".

On Thursday, law enforcement stated it backed the ban and categorized the fixture as "concerning" according to information and past events.

That included "serious fights and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a match in the Dutch capital in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.

There have been rallies at various athletic competitions over the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel played Norway and the European team in recent international matches.

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