🔗 Share this article Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Following Violent Riots Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the planned start Issued 22:27 BST on October 19, 2025 Revised nine minutes prior The Israeli Premier League derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off ahead of commencement on the weekend, after what police characterized as "public disorder and major clashes". "Numerous of smoke devices and flares were thrown," authorities announced on social media, noting "this is not a match, it represents chaos and major hostilities". Twelve people and three law enforcement members were hurt, authorities reported, while multiple persons were detained and 16 questioned by police. The unrest come just days after representatives in the United Kingdom said that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to attend the European competition match at the Birmingham team in England the following month because of security issues. Hapoel Tel Aviv criticised the derby cancellation, alleging authorities of "preparing for a war, not a sporting event", even during meetings in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited match. "The shocking situations around the stadium and after the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment not to hold the game only prove that the law enforcement has seized authority in the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially. Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled. The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to prohibit the team's supporters from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has provoked widespread criticism. The British authorities has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the ban and considering what additional resources might be necessary to guarantee the match can be conducted securely. The English club informed their security personnel that they did not have to work at the game, saying they acknowledged that some "may have concerns". On earlier in the week, law enforcement said it backed the restriction and categorized the fixture as "potentially dangerous" according to intelligence and previous incidents. That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" involving Ajax and followers before a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were taken into custody. There have been protests at multiple games over the situation in Gaza, such as when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent qualification games. Associated subjects The sport Further coverage Support your side with match updates Posted recently Listen to the latest match analysis Receive sports updates sent straight to your phone Published 16 August