Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off After Violent Riots

• Published
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The Israeli Premier League local clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled ahead of commencement on Sunday, following what police labeled as "public disorder and major clashes".

"Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were set off," law enforcement stated on online platforms, adding "this is not a sporting event, it represents unrest and significant aggression".

A dozen civilians and multiple police personnel were hurt, authorities reported, while several individuals were detained and numerous others detained for questioning.

The clashes come just days after officials in the Britain announced that supporters of the team should not be allowed to be present at the European competition match at the Birmingham team in England next month because of safety concerns.

The local club censured the match postponement, accusing authorities of "gearing up for a war, rather than a sporting event", particularly during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited encounter.

"The shocking situations outside the venue and after the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment not to hold the match only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.

The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the game was called off.

The ruling by security authorities to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the English fixture on November 6 has sparked broad condemnation.

The British authorities has since said it is attempting to reverse the restriction and investigating what further support might be required to ensure the fixture can be held without incident.

Villa informed their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they acknowledged that some "may have concerns".

On earlier in the week, local authorities confirmed it supported the restriction and categorized the match as "concerning" according to information and past events.

That included "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" between the Dutch team and followers before a game in Amsterdam in late 2024, when numerous persons were taken into custody.

There have been demonstrations at multiple games concerning the war in Gaza, such as when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and the European team in current qualification games.

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