🔗 Share this article Tel Aviv Derby Postponed Following Serious Unrest The sports venue in the city was filled with smoke prior to the anticipated start Released 19 October 2025, 22:27 BST Modified moments ago The domestic football league local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off before commencement on the weekend, due to what authorities labeled as "crowd trouble and major clashes". "Many of smoke bombs and fireworks were thrown," Israeli police announced on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, this is disorder and serious violence". Twelve individuals and several officers were harmed, authorities reported, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning. The clashes come just a short time after representatives in the UK said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to go to the European competition match at Aston Villa in England in November because of public safety worries. Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the derby cancellation, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, rather than a game", particularly during discussions in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match. "The disturbing events outside the stadium and after the reckless and unacceptable ruling not to hold the match only demonstrate that the law enforcement has seized authority in the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly. Their rivals has declined to speak, merely stating the match was cancelled. The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on the sixth of November has provoked widespread criticism. The British authorities has later announced it is seeking to cancel the ban and investigating what extra measures might be necessary to ensure the fixture can be conducted securely. Aston Villa told their security personnel that they did not have to work at the fixture, explaining they acknowledged that some "may have concerns". On Thursday, law enforcement confirmed it supported the prohibition and classified the game as "potentially dangerous" according to information and earlier occurrences. That encompassed "physical confrontations and hate-crime offences" among the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a game in Amsterdam in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were arrested. There have been demonstrations at several games regarding the conflict in Gaza, including when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent football World Cup qualifiers. Connected themes Soccer Further coverage Follow your club with sports coverage Released 48 hours prior Tune into current football podcast Get football news delivered directly to your smartphone Issued 16 August