Maccabi Tel Aviv’s derby with Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled after violent fan clashes injured police and spectators, days after Maccabi fans were banned from attending the club’s next Europa League match.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s derby match against Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled on Sunday night due to “serious disorder” at Bloomfield Stadium. Police called off the Israeli Premier League fixture minutes before kick-off, citing safety concerns after pyrotechnics and clashes broke out among fans.
According to Israeli Police, three officers and five supporters were injured, with five arrests made and several others detained for illegal assembly. “This was not a football game, but a case of serious disorder and violence,” a police statement said.
The Israel Professional Football Leagues Association confirmed the game’s cancellation about 20 minutes after the scheduled start time, as smoke still filled the stadium. The unrest follows a recent decision banning Maccabi supporters from attending next month’s Europa League clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park, over public safety concerns.
Aston Villa said in a statement that the ban followed an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group and police warnings about possible protests. The disturbances add to growing tension surrounding Israeli football amid ongoing security issues.