Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Major Disturbances

• Issued
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The domestic football league local clash between one local team and their city rivals was called off ahead of commencement on the weekend, following what law enforcement labeled as "civil unrest and major clashes".

"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were set off," law enforcement stated on online platforms, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it represents unrest and serious violence".

A dozen civilians and several law enforcement members were injured, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were detained and numerous others questioned by police.

The disturbances come just a short time after officials in the United Kingdom said that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to be present at the Europa League game at Aston Villa in Britain in November because of safety concerns.

The local club condemned the match postponement, alleging law enforcement of "gearing up for a war, rather than a sporting event", including during discussions in the lead-up to the eagerly-awaited encounter.

"The disturbing situations near the stadium and after the irresponsible and scandalous decision to cancel the fixture only demonstrate that the law enforcement has assumed command over the football," the team stated officially.

The other team has not yet commented, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.

The ruling by the local safety committee to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has sparked widespread criticism.

The government officials has later announced it is attempting to reverse the ban and investigating what further support might be required to make certain the match can be held without incident.

The English club informed their stadium staff that they did not have to work at the match, saying they recognized that some "might feel uneasy".

On Thursday, local authorities said it endorsed the ban and categorized the match as "concerning" based on information and previous incidents.

That encompassed "serious fights and hate-crime offences" among Ajax and their supporters before a fixture in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.

There have been rallies at various sporting events over the war in Gaza, for instance when the national team played the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent international matches.

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