🔗 Share this article Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Postponed After Major Disturbances Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv was covered in smoke ahead of the anticipated kick-off Issued 19 October 2025, 22:27 BST Modified moments ago The domestic football league rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned prior to the start on Sunday, due to what authorities characterized as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances". "Many of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were launched," Israeli police announced on online platforms, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, this is unrest and significant aggression". Twelve civilians and several police personnel were harmed, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were taken into custody and 16 detained for questioning. The unrest occur just a brief period after representatives in the Britain stated that followers of the club should not be allowed to attend the European competition match at the Birmingham team in the UK next month because of public safety worries. Hapoel Tel Aviv criticised the derby cancellation, claiming law enforcement of "gearing up for a conflict, not a football match", particularly during talks in the preparation to the eagerly-awaited match. "The shocking situations around the venue and due to the ill-considered and outrageous decision not to hold the game only show that the authorities has assumed command over the football," the club said in a statement. Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, except to confirm the game was called off. The decision by the local safety committee to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on 6 November has sparked extensive disapproval. The UK government has later announced it is working to overturn the ban and investigating what additional resources might be required to ensure the fixture can be hosted safely. Aston Villa notified their matchday stewards that they did not have to work at the fixture, explaining they recognized that some "could be worried". On the previous day, West Midlands Police said it supported the restriction and categorized the fixture as "potentially dangerous" according to intelligence and earlier occurrences. That included "serious fights and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and followers prior to a fixture in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were detained. There have been demonstrations at several athletic competitions over the conflict in Gaza, for instance when the national team faced Norway and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers. Associated subjects The sport Further coverage Support your side with match updates Released 48 hours prior Listen to the latest match analysis Obtain match information sent straight to your smartphone Published 16 August