Tel Aviv Derby Cancelled Following Major Disturbances

• Released
  19 October 2025, 22:27 BST

The domestic football league local clash featuring one local team and their city rivals was called off ahead of kick-off on the weekend, following what authorities labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".

"Numerous of smoke bombs and fireworks were set off," law enforcement stated on digital channels, emphasizing "this isn't a football game, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities".

A dozen civilians and several police personnel were injured, police said, while multiple persons were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning.

The unrest happen just a brief period after authorities in the UK announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the European competition game at the English club in Britain in November because of safety concerns.

The local club censured the game abandonment, claiming authorities of "preparing for a battle, rather than a football match", even during meetings in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.

"The disturbing situations around the stadium and following the reckless and unacceptable decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the Israel Police has seized authority in the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly.

Their rivals has remained silent, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned.

The ruling by security authorities to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has provoked widespread criticism.

The British authorities has later announced it is attempting to reverse the restriction and considering what extra measures might be required to ensure the game can be conducted securely.

Villa told their security personnel that they did not have to work at the match, explaining they recognized that some "could be worried".

On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police confirmed it backed the ban and designated the match as "concerning" according to information and earlier occurrences.

That involved "physical confrontations and bigotry-related acts" involving the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to a game in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were arrested.

There have been rallies at several games over the war in Gaza, including when Israel competed against Norway and the European team in current international matches.

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