🔗 Share this article Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Due to Violent Riots Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in haze ahead of the planned start Issued October 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM BST Modified moments ago The domestic football league derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of commencement on Sunday, after what authorities characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots". "Many of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were set off," authorities stated on digital channels, adding "this is not a football game, it constitutes unrest and serious violence". A dozen people and three law enforcement members were hurt, police said, while multiple persons were taken into custody and sixteen held for interrogation. The unrest happen just a brief period after authorities in the UK said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the international tournament game at Aston Villa in the UK next month because of safety concerns. One team criticised the derby cancellation, alleging law enforcement of "gearing up for a conflict, not a football match", including during meetings in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited match. "The alarming incidents near the stadium and due to the irresponsible and unacceptable judgment to abandon the fixture only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement. Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, except to confirm the match was cancelled. The ruling by security authorities to exclude the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has triggered extensive disapproval. The UK government has since said it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what further support might be required to guarantee the game can be conducted securely. Aston Villa notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the fixture, saying they acknowledged that some "could be worried". On the previous day, West Midlands Police confirmed it supported the restriction and classified the match as "high risk" according to information and past events. That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and their supporters prior to a fixture in Amsterdam in late 2024, when numerous persons were detained. There have been protests at various sporting events concerning the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in current football World Cup qualifiers. Connected themes Football Additional reports Follow your club with game reports Released 2 days ago Tune into current football podcast Obtain match information transmitted immediately to your smartphone Released August 16