Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off After Violent Riots
Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was filled with haze ahead of the anticipated beginning
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The domestic football league local clash involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was called off before kick-off on Sunday, following what authorities labeled as "public disorder and violent riots".
"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were thrown," law enforcement posted on social media, adding "this is not a football game, this is unrest and significant aggression".
Twelve civilians and several police personnel were harmed, police said, while nine people were taken into custody and sixteen detained for questioning.
The clashes happen just a brief period after officials in the UK said that supporters of the team should not be allowed to go to the international tournament game at the English club in England next month because of public safety worries.
The local club censured the game abandonment, alleging Israeli police of "getting ready for a battle, instead of a football match", including during discussions in the build-up to the highly-anticipated encounter.
"The alarming incidents outside the venue and following the irresponsible and scandalous decision not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the football," the club said in a statement.
Their rivals has not yet commented, except to confirm the match was cancelled.
The ruling by the local safety committee to exclude the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation.
The UK government has since said it is seeking to cancel the restriction and exploring what further support might be required to make certain the game can be hosted safely.
Villa told their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the match, stating they understood that some "may have concerns".
On earlier in the week, West Midlands Police said it endorsed the restriction and designated the fixture as "potentially dangerous" based on information and previous incidents.
That included "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" among Ajax and followers prior to a game in Amsterdam in the previous year, when numerous persons were detained.
There have been demonstrations at multiple athletic competitions concerning the war in Gaza, such as when Israel faced Norway and Italy in latest international matches.
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Released2 days ago
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Issued16 August
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