Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Due to Serious Unrest
Bloomfield Stadium in the city was filled with haze prior to the scheduled beginning
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The domestic football league derby featuring one local team and their city rivals was abandoned prior to the start on Sunday, due to what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were launched," law enforcement posted on digital channels, noting "this is not a football game, it represents unrest and significant aggression".
Twelve people and several police personnel were injured, authorities reported, while several individuals were arrested and 16 held for interrogation.
The unrest come just a short time after representatives in the UK announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the international tournament game at the English club in the UK the following month because of public safety worries.
The local club censured the match postponement, claiming Israeli police of "getting ready for a war, instead of a football match", even during talks in the build-up to the much-expected fixture.
"The disturbing situations near the stadium and due to the irresponsible and outrageous judgment to cancel the fixture only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.
Their rivals has not yet commented, merely stating the match was cancelled.
The judgment by security authorities to prohibit the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on 6 November has provoked extensive disapproval.
The British authorities has since said it is working to overturn the ban and exploring what further support might be necessary to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely.
The English club told their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the fixture, explaining they recognized that some "may have concerns".
On Thursday, West Midlands Police stated it endorsed the prohibition and designated the game as "concerning" due to reports and past events.
That included "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a match in Amsterdam in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.
There have been rallies at several athletic competitions over the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and Italy in recent qualification games.
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