🔗 Share this article Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Due to Violent Riots Bloomfield Stadium in the city was covered in smoke ahead of the planned kick-off Released 19 October 2025, 22:27 BST Updated 9 minutes ago The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before the start on the weekend, due to what law enforcement labeled as "civil unrest and major clashes". "Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were thrown," law enforcement stated on digital channels, adding "this isn't a football game, it represents chaos and major hostilities". Twelve individuals and several officers were harmed, officials confirmed, while several individuals were detained and sixteen detained for questioning. The unrest occur just a short time after representatives in the United Kingdom announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to go to the international tournament game at the Birmingham team in the UK the following month because of public safety worries. One team censured the match postponement, accusing authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a football match", even during discussions in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated match. "The alarming situations near the venue and after the ill-considered and unacceptable ruling not to hold the game only prove that the law enforcement has assumed command over the sport," the team said in a statement. The other team has remained silent, except to confirm the fixture was abandoned. The ruling by security authorities to prohibit club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked widespread criticism. The British authorities has subsequently stated it is attempting to reverse the ban and exploring what extra measures might be required to make certain the fixture can be conducted securely. The English club notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the game, explaining they understood that some "might feel uneasy". On Thursday, local authorities said it supported the prohibition and classified the match as "concerning" based on reports and earlier occurrences. That included "serious fights and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and followers ahead of a game in Amsterdam in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested. There have been protests at multiple games regarding the situation in Gaza, including when Israel faced Norway and Italy in recent international matches. Associated subjects Football More on this story Support your side with sports coverage Released recently Hear the most recent match analysis Obtain match information sent straight to your mobile device Published Mid-August