Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled After Major Disturbances

• Released
  19 October 2025, 22:27 BST

The Israeli Premier League local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned ahead of kick-off on the weekend, due to what law enforcement labeled as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".

"Numerous of smoke bombs and flares were set off," Israeli police announced on online platforms, noting "this isn't a sporting event, it represents unrest and serious violence".

Twelve individuals and three officers were harmed, police said, while multiple persons were taken into custody and sixteen held for interrogation.

The unrest come just a short time after officials in the United Kingdom stated that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament match at Aston Villa in Britain next month because of public safety worries.

The local club condemned the game abandonment, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, not a football match", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited encounter.

"The alarming incidents near the arena and following the irresponsible and scandalous judgment to cancel the game only show that the Israel Police has assumed command over the sport," the team announced publicly.

The other team has declined to speak, merely stating the fixture was abandoned.

The ruling by security authorities to exclude the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked broad condemnation.

The British authorities has since said it is working to overturn the prohibition and investigating what additional resources might be required to ensure the game can be hosted safely.

Aston Villa told their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the fixture, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".

On the previous day, local authorities stated it endorsed the restriction and classified the fixture as "high risk" according to information and past events.

That involved "serious fights and bigotry-related acts" between Ajax and followers before a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when numerous persons were arrested.

There have been protests at several athletic competitions regarding the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in recent qualification games.

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