Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed Following Serious Unrest

• Published
  October 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM BST

The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abandoned prior to the start on Sunday, following what police characterized as "civil unrest and violent riots".

"Dozens of smoke grenades and fireworks were set off," law enforcement announced on social media, noting "this is not a match, it constitutes chaos and serious violence".

A dozen individuals and several law enforcement members were harmed, police said, while nine people were detained and numerous others detained for questioning.

The clashes happen just a brief period after officials in the United Kingdom stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to attend the international tournament fixture at the Birmingham team in England next month because of public safety worries.

One team censured the game abandonment, alleging authorities of "gearing up for a conflict, instead of a football match", even during talks in the lead-up to the much-expected match.

"The alarming situations near the stadium and following the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment to cancel the game only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the game," the team said in a statement.

Their rivals has declined to speak, only acknowledging the match was cancelled.

The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to prohibit club followers from the Birmingham game on the sixth of November has sparked widespread criticism.

The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the ban and considering what extra measures might be required to make certain the match can be conducted securely.

The English club informed their matchday stewards that they were not required to attend at the match, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".

On Thursday, local authorities stated it backed the restriction and categorized the game as "potentially dangerous" according to information and previous incidents.

That involved "serious fights and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and their supporters ahead of a match in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody.

There have been demonstrations at multiple games regarding the conflict in Gaza, such as when the national team played Norway and the European team in current qualification games.

Connected themes

• Football

More on this story

• Support your side with sports coverage

  • Posted
    recently

• Listen to the latest football podcast

• Get football news delivered directly to your smartphone

  • Issued
    Mid-August