Tel-Aviv Derby Called Off Following Violent Riots

• Released
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The Israeli Premier League local clash featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before the start on the weekend, due to what police characterized as "public disorder and violent riots".

"Dozens of smoke devices and fireworks were launched," law enforcement announced on social media, emphasizing "this isn't a match, it represents disorder and significant aggression".

A dozen people and several officers were harmed, police said, while multiple persons were taken into custody and 16 questioned by police.

The disturbances happen just a short time after officials in the Britain stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to attend the international tournament match at the English club in England the following month because of public safety worries.

Hapoel Tel Aviv criticised the game abandonment, alleging authorities of "getting ready for a war, not a game", even during talks in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.

"The disturbing incidents around the arena and after the ill-considered and outrageous judgment to abandon the game only demonstrate that the Israel Police has assumed command over the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, merely stating the game was called off.

The ruling by security authorities to prohibit club followers from the English fixture on 6 November has triggered extensive disapproval.

The British authorities has since said it is attempting to reverse the ban and considering what extra measures might be needed to ensure the match can be held without incident.

The English club informed their security personnel that they were not required to attend at the game, explaining they understood that some "could be worried".

On the previous day, West Midlands Police confirmed it endorsed the prohibition and categorized the fixture as "potentially dangerous" according to intelligence and earlier occurrences.

That included "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" involving Ajax and their supporters prior to a game in the Netherlands in late 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.

There have been rallies at various games over the situation in Gaza, for instance when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in latest football World Cup qualifiers.

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