đ Share this article Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled After Serious Unrest The sports venue in Tel Aviv was filled with smoke ahead of the anticipated beginning Issued 19 October 2025, 22:27 BST Revised nine minutes prior The domestic football league rivalry match between one local team and their city rivals was called off prior to kick-off on the weekend, due to what police described as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances". "Many of smoke grenades and flares were set off," law enforcement announced on digital channels, noting "this isn't a football game, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities". Twelve civilians and several officers were injured, authorities reported, while nine people were detained and numerous others detained for questioning. The clashes occur just days after representatives in the United Kingdom said that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to go to the Europa League match at the English club in the UK next month because of security issues. One team censured the derby cancellation, accusing Israeli police of "gearing up for a battle, rather than a football match", even during discussions in the preparation to the much-expected encounter. "The shocking situations outside the arena and due to the reckless and outrageous ruling to abandon the fixture only prove that the law enforcement has seized authority in the football," the club stated officially. Their rivals has remained silent, merely stating the fixture was abandoned. The judgment by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation. The UK government has since said it is working to overturn the ban and considering what further support might be required to make certain the fixture can be conducted securely. The English club told their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they understood that some "could be worried". On the previous day, law enforcement said it endorsed the restriction and classified the match as "potentially dangerous" according to reports and past events. That encompassed "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a fixture in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested. There have been protests at multiple athletic competitions over the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team played Norway and Italy in latest qualification games. Connected themes Football Additional reports Support your side with sports coverage Released 2 days ago Hear the most recent football podcast Receive sports updates sent straight to your smartphone Issued Mid-August