Tel Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Violent Riots

• Released
  19 October 2025, 22:27 BST

The Israeli Premier League derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned before commencement on Sunday, following what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and major clashes".

"Many of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were launched," Israeli police announced on social media, adding "this isn't a match, it represents disorder and major hostilities".

A dozen civilians and several police personnel were injured, authorities reported, while nine people were detained and numerous others detained for questioning.

The clashes come just days after officials in the Britain stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to go to the international tournament match at the English club in the UK the following month because of public safety worries.

One team criticised the game abandonment, alleging authorities of "getting ready for a war, rather than a game", particularly during discussions in the preparation to the much-expected fixture.

"The alarming events outside the stadium and after the irresponsible and unacceptable ruling to cancel the match only prove that the law enforcement has assumed command over the sport," the club stated officially.

The other team has remained silent, only acknowledging the game was called off.

The decision by the local safety committee to ban the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked extensive disapproval.

The government officials has later announced it is working to overturn the ban and considering what further support might be necessary to guarantee the match can be held without incident.

The English club notified their security personnel that they did not have to work at the game, stating they recognized that some "may have concerns".

On Thursday, law enforcement confirmed it supported the restriction and categorized the fixture as "high risk" due to intelligence and earlier occurrences.

That encompassed "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" between the Dutch team and followers before a fixture in Amsterdam in the previous year, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.

There have been rallies at multiple athletic competitions over the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest international matches.

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