Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Following Major Disturbances

• Issued
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The domestic football league derby featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off ahead of kick-off on Sunday, after what law enforcement described as "crowd trouble and violent riots".

"Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were launched," Israeli police announced on digital channels, adding "this is not a match, this is disorder and major hostilities".

A dozen people and three officers were hurt, police said, while several individuals were taken into custody and 16 questioned by police.

The unrest come just a brief period after officials in the Britain announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to attend the European competition fixture at the English club in England in November because of security issues.

One team censured the game abandonment, alleging Israeli police of "preparing for a war, rather than a football match", even during discussions in the build-up to the much-expected encounter.

"The disturbing situations near the stadium and due to the irresponsible and scandalous decision to cancel the match only demonstrate that the law enforcement has seized authority in the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.

Their rivals has remained silent, only acknowledging the game was called off.

The decision by security authorities to ban club followers from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has triggered widespread criticism.

The British authorities has since said it is attempting to reverse the ban and exploring what extra measures might be needed to guarantee the game can be held without incident.

The English club informed their security personnel that they were not required to attend at the fixture, stating they understood that some "could be worried".

On Thursday, local authorities said it backed the ban and designated the match as "concerning" according to information and earlier occurrences.

That involved "serious fights and discrimination incidents" among the Dutch team and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a match in Amsterdam in late 2024, when more than 60 people were taken into custody.

There have been demonstrations at various sporting events concerning the conflict in Gaza, including when Israel faced Norway and the European team in recent international matches.

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